Police: Southwest Philadelphia Paintball attacks appear to be random victims

SOUTHWEST PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- Police are investigating a recent series of attacks in Southwest Philadelphia where the suspects appear to be targeting random people.

The incident happened on Thursday between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m.

At first investigators believed that the suspects were targeting transgender victims, but on Thursday they said, the incidents are random.

Police are looking for a newer model dark gray Infiniti with tinted windows.

The car was caught on surveillance cameras. Video shows an occupant or occupants fired on two residents walking down the road with paintballs. Both were hit at 42nd Street.

A half hour later, several residents of the Morris Home at 50th and Woodland Avenue, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center for transgender people, were sitting on the front porch of their facility when the Infiniti passed by and more paintballs were fired.

The victims scattered and dove for cover, but not before three were hit.

"They had welts on their bodies which shows visible signs of injury, but fortunately, they haven't received medical treatment, but they are in a little bit of pain," Philadelphia Police Lt. John Walker said.

Resources for Human Development, which runs the Morris Home, released a statement which reads in part, "RHD is committed to doing everything possible to ensure the safety and well-being of the people we are privileged to support and employ."

After striking these victims, the car made a U-turn, and the suspects fired on more people walking down the road.

Lt. Walker said, "One of our victims at 42nd Street, clearly said to us, he heard people laughing in the car that they were firing the gun. Although they think it's funny, it's really not funny what they are doing. And we know it is people out there. It's a nice car. It's clearly we believe Infiniti, which is a very expensive car. Somebody knows whose driving this car, and all we are asking them to do, is call 911."

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