California slingshot shooter Prince King of Azusa arrested

US News

By Allie Griffin

An 81-year-old “serial slingshot shooter” who terrorized his California neighborhood with the crude weapon for nearly a decade was arrested last week.

Azusa police arrested octogenarian Prince King on Thursday after learning that it was he – not a teenager – who was suspected of being responsible for various cases of vandalism caused by the slingshot over a nine-year period. at ten years old.

King, of Azusa, is accused of targeting dozens of residents over the years — smashing windows and windshields and nearly hitting neighbors with ball bearings from the hand-held device.

No injuries have been reported over the years, but residents said the damage often cost them thousands of dollars to make repairs.

He was arrested in his neighborhood where cops were responding to a “quality of life” issue in the 900 block of North Enid Ave.

Police found new ball bearings and a slingshot at his home and quickly handcuffed King.

This arrest is long overdue, as police have been investigating since the first reported slingshot incident nearly a decade ago.

“This has been going on for many years because we just haven't identified who the suspect was,” Azusa Police Lt. Jake Bushey told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

Bushey said cops believed King was using his backyard for shooting practice.

The police had no motive for this bizarre and endless crime spree.

“We are not aware of any motive other than simple malicious mischief,” Bushey told the local newspaper.

King, however, targeted his shots — they were not random, police said.