Man shoots paintball gun at fishermen

[dartag]

heard about this last week.  found this in the Brighton paper.


Michigan State Police are looking for a man alleged to have fired a paintball gun at two other men.

The two men, a 24-year-old Walled Lake resident and a 40-year-old Milford resident, told police they were participating in a fishing tournament on Woodland Lake in Brighton Township at about 7:20 p.m. Wednesday when the 47-year-old allegedly started shouting obscenities at them.

The victims told police the man came from a residence and began to shoot multiple times at them with a paintball gun, striking their boat. Neither victim was struck by a paintball.

A warrant request has been submitted to the Livingston County prosecutor's office seeking charges for the suspect, a 47-year-old man.

Crazy people out there.

[Redbone]

That sure would make it interesting.  Extreme fishing challenge. Although I think they should use a tennis ball launcher for the tv show.

[bob o]

i don't carry a gun, but i know some fishermen that do (officer) if some one pointed a wepon paintball or real that guy might be pushing up dasiys right now.

[djkimmel]

I thought I had read they did arrest the moron...

or maybe wacko is the right word??

[Bender]

Anybody know what part of Woodland that was on? I would kind of like to avoid somebody shooting at me.

[JL]

Woodland lake is notorious for irate lakefront property owners.  I avoid several areas on that lake because I have had some pretty nasty encounters.

I think a lot has to do with the amount of fishing pressure these smaller lakes get.  Woodland will typically have 2-4 tournaments a week on that lake, most of the summer.  Not that I justify what happened but I am sure property owners get tired of fisherman throwing around there docks and boats all summer.

[bob o]

Woodland lake is notorious for irate lakefront property owners.  I avoid several areas on that lake because I have had some pretty nasty encounters.

I think a lot has to do with the amount of fishing pressure these smaller lakes get.  Woodland will typically have 2-4 tournaments a week on that lake, most of the summer.  Not that I justify what happened but I am sure property owners get tired of fisherman throwing around there docks and boats all summer.

i used to fish it a lot, but i've never had any problems with the lake people

[Mike S.]

That's crazy. People know that docks attract fishermen, and there is nothing that can be done about people fishing docks. I would have to say, if someone were to shoot at me or my boat with a paintball gun, they may just find themselves on the business end of something with a nasty treble hook. Assuming they were in casting range. Funny part is that  he will more than likely do some time, and there will be people fishing his dock. Way to go guy. Hope he gets the crap beat out of him in jail.

[VinceR]

An encounter like that has the potential to end badly.

[tjrock]

They should have asked for a conservation officer to respond. The guy would have been arrested on the spot. Harassing some one that is legally fishing is no different than harassing someone that is legally hunting.

[JL]

That's crazy. People know that docks attract fishermen, and there is nothing that can be done about people fishing docks. I would have to say, if someone were to shoot at me or my boat with a paintball gun, they may just find themselves on the business end of something with a nasty treble hook. Assuming they were in casting range. Funny part is that  he will more than likely do some time, and there will be people fishing his dock. Way to go guy. Hope he gets the crap beat out of him in jail.

I couldn't agree more... Most lake owners however don't realize or care that quality fish reside right under there dock or boat.  I couldn't tell you how many times I hear, "they have the whole lake to fish and they have to fish right under my dock"

[Mike S.]

People have to learn to share the lakes. Most people are so set on the lake being for their enjoyment, that they fail to realize that others enjoy their time on the water doing what they like to do. I know that when I get on the water early, my time of peace and quiet is over around 10 or so. But, as I said, you have to tolerate everyone else's time on the water too.

[thedude]

guy needs his behind beat. paintballs don't hurt that bad  but are definitely a good way to loose an eye.

[tigar]

I might be tempted to tie on a good 1oz sinker or the biggest jig I could find in the boat and play a little catch with him. I might even be willing to take a hit or two for the team to get a little closer! Makes you wonder if we should all start PACKING a paintball gun for self defense of course.