CHICAGO — Two people were struck by paintballs in apparent drive-by attacks late Sunday night in Old Town and River North, with one victim suffering an eye injury and being hospitalized.
Man Shot in the Eye Near West Schiller
At approximately 10:48 p.m., a 38-year-old man was walking westbound in the 100 block of West Schiller when a red sedan pulled up, according to a Chicago police spokesperson. Someone inside the vehicle opened fire with a paintball gun, hitting the man directly in the eye.
Chicago Fire Department paramedics responded and transported the man to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in good condition.
Second Attack Reported in River North
Roughly 30 minutes later, another man was walking near Orleans and Kinzie in River North when he too was hit by a paintball. He reported being struck in the back, but his injuries were minor and did not require hospitalization, police said.
Paintball Attacks: A Recurring Trend
These incidents are part of a troubling pattern of paintball “drive-bys” that have surfaced intermittently across Chicago in recent years.
Back in 2019, a woman on the Northwest Side sustained a serious eye injury from a paintball. During the pandemic, videos of such attacks surged online, prompting an uptick in similar incidents citywide — including multiple reports in Loop and Streeterville and a rash of drive-by assaults that went viral.
While some dismiss these assaults as pranks, police stress that they can cause lasting harm, especially when victims are struck in sensitive areas like the face or eyes.
Investigation Ongoing
Authorities have not released details on potential suspects or vehicle license plate information. No arrests had been reported as of Monday morning.
Have you or someone you know been targeted in a recent paintball attack? Share your story or report details confidentially in the comments below or via our tip line at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
