Three hit with frozen paintballs

TOTOWA, NJ (WABC) -- Totowa police are making extra rounds on Norwood Terrance since three people were shot with frozen paintball pellets.

Saturday night, a group of people were enjoying the cool breeze when the painful pellets hit and hit hard.

The victims say the suspects were driving down the road with their lights off when all of a sudden shots were fired. You can see the paintball markings on the road. There were about a dozen people sitting outside who had no idea what was being fired at them.

"When I got hit I just passed out. Next thing I knew I remember is that I woke up in a hospital," said Thomas Kaminski.

He has the wealts to prove it.

His neighbor Katie Vanputtenvink and another friend were also hit.

"They say it would have hit me in the face or the eye if I didn't block it," said Vanputtenvink.

"No comment sorry. you can talk to the superintendent of schools." That's what Eyewitness News got when we went to the 17-year-old suspects home.

The report lists three suspects but Wayne Valley High School student Mark Berg is accused of actually firing the ice cold paintballs.

Some students claim it was part of a senior year initation ritual.

Others say no way.

"I honestly don't think it's true. there's honestly no hazing at wayne valley. it's a good school," said Courtney Montesano.

Despite the pain he suffered, Thomas Kaminski is torn about what should happen.

"On the one hand I do not want those kids thrown in jail because it's going to make them more violent more criminal. On the other hand i don't want it to just go away. They should be punished," he said.

---
STORY BY: Eyewitness News reporter Carolina Leid
WEB PRODUCED BY: Scott Curkin

----
Click here for more New York and Tri-State News

Report a typo || Send a story idea || Send news photos/videos

Get more Local News »

• Comment Now
• Email
• Print
• Report a typo
•