East Bay Regional Park District police arrested a 21-year-old Richmond man late Sunday in connection with a BB gun attack at Wildcat Canyon Park in Richmond.
Police apprehended the suspect around 8 p.m. after a woman was shot in the forehead with a BB gun while hiking on the Wildcat Trail on the western side of the park. Quick-thinking witnesses helped police locate the suspect, who was hiding behind a tree a with a CO2-powered BB pistol in his possession.
The suspect is in custody at the Martinez Detention Facility. The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office has charged him with felony possession of a deadly weapon and misdemeanor possession of metal knuckles. Police served a search warrant at his home Monday night and recovered evidence they believe is pertinent to the case.
Police are investigating whether the suspect is linked to two previous BB gun attacks at Wildcat Canyon, one on Sept. 27 and one on May 6. The suspect has a history of contact with Richmond police, although details are sealed because he was a juvenile at the time.
Park District police are not releasing the suspect’s name at this time pending conclusion of their investigation.
Police urge park visitors to report any suspicious activity, take pictures of car license plates when relevant, and be aware of their surroundings. The police department can be reached at (510) 881-1833. The anonymous tip line is (510) 690-6521.
Sketchy people have always hung out “at the park.” Unfortunately now the robbers and thieves are using those areas as their own personal hunting ground.
Did they ever find the murderers who shot and killed that man in Huckleberry Regional Preserve??