Police Looking For Person Who Shot Paintballs At Lewis U. Cop Car

ROMEOVILLE, IL — Police on the campus of Lewis University say vandals shot paintballs at a marked squad car early Tuesday morning. The incident happened on the university's Romeoville campus and no one was inside the vehicle at the time. Police said the paint was quickly washed off the vehicle.

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Nonetheless, police are taking the incident very seriously. "While this may seem like a harmless prank, we have to caution the community that firing any type of gun (paintball, pellet, Airsoft or other) at a police vehicle or police officers is extraordinarily dangerous," police said. "Lewis police officers are armed and have the authority to use deadly force when they reasonable believe they are facing a threat of great bodily harm."

The department posted a photo of the car, marked with lines of yellow paint, to Facebook.

"In darkness, when a split-second assessment must be made, it can be difficult, even impossible, for an officer who’s being shot at to determine whether the shooter is discharging a firearm or some other less lethal device," police continued. "We love our community and have been fortunate that our need to use force has been limited to a very few minor incidents. We want to keep it that way."

The department is investigating the incident. Police have not yet identified any suspects. Anyone with information should call 815-836-5222 or go here to leave an anonymous online tip.

Image via Lewis University Police Department