Police Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Officers in Major Cities Coping with Paintball Wars

“He started the movement in an effort to stop the shootings in the inner cities,” she said. “It’s kind of morphed into something other than what he anticipated, I think. Now these kids have been shooting unsuspecting citizens as opposed to their friends during these paintball wars.”

May 2, 2018
Officers in Major Cities Coping with Paintball Wars

Authorities believe the paintball attacks were spurred by rapper 21 Savage who urged people to shoot paintballs not bullets. The message has led to unintended consequences, police say. (Photo: Getty)

2 min to read


Embed from Getty Images

Paintball skirmishes are moving from the fields and woods of America’s suburbs into the streets of some U.S. cities, wreaking havoc in the form of property damage, injuries and, in some cases, escalating to deadly violence involving guns that shoot bullets instead of balls of paint.

Ad Loading...

Hundreds of paintball attacks have been recently reported in multiple cities, including Milwaukee, Atlanta, Detroit, Charlotte, and Greensboro. In Milwaukee alone, police responded to 65 incidents of people getting shot by paintballs over a recent five-day period, Sgt. Melissa Franckowiak of the Milwaukee Police Department said at a news conference on Monday.

The paintball “wars” have been linked by police in several of the cities to a movement known as “paintballs up, guns down” or “guns down, paintballs up.” The campaign was started by hip-hop artists, namely Atlanta-based rapper Shayaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, also known as 21 Savage, according to CBS 46.

During the news conference, Franckowiak also attributed Milwaukee’s uptick to 21 Savage.

“He started the movement in an effort to stop the shootings in the inner cities,” she said. “It’s kind of morphed into something other than what he anticipated, I think. Now these kids have been shooting unsuspecting citizens as opposed to their friends during these paintball wars.”

While the “wars” encourage people to trade deadly bullets for paintballs, police say the air-powered weapons are dangerous, especially if a person is shot in the face or eyes. Paintballs can be fired at speeds of up to 300 feet per second, Franckowiak said.

Ad Loading...

Two shooting deaths by people retaliating with real guns over paintball attacks have also been linked to paintball-related incidents, police said. In one a three-year-old boy was killed, the Washington Post reports.

More Patrol

Black background with image of police car light bar, logo for POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips, and headline What are the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 25, 2026

Garmont Tactical’s LE Boot Lineup

In this video, we get a look at the latest law enforcement boots from Garmont Tactical, both for men and women. Kyle Ferdyn, sales manager, showcases four of the latest boots.

Read More →
Person in protective CMRN suit and breathing gear.
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Avon Protection Launches EXOSKIN-S2 High-Performance CBRN Protective Suit

With the commercial availability of Avon Protection’s EXOSKIN-S2, users now have increased options for their protective suit requirements across the spectrum of CBRN threat environments.

Read More →
Sky background with logos for Versatern and Aloft
PatrolFebruary 18, 2026

Versaterm Acquires Aloft to Unlock a New Era of Drones for Public Safety

Versaterm has acquired Aloft, an FAA-approved Unmanned Service Supplier (USS) that specializes in real-time airspace intelligence and flight authorizations.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Clooudy sky background with a lot of blue, logo for DroneSense, and dates and location of an upcoming event.
PatrolFebruary 11, 2026

Versaterm Launches Innovation Summit for Public Safety Drone Operations

The two-day DroneSense Innovation Summit by Versaterm will bring together public safety and industry experts to define best practices for scaling drone operations.

Read More →
Thumnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips featuring a black background with police car lights and headline What Makes a Good LE Boot?
Patrolby Wayne ParhamFebruary 11, 2026

What Makes a Good LE Boot?

Learn what makes a boot good for police officers as POLICE visits with Kyle Ferdyn, of Garmont Tactical, who explains the features of boots and why each is needed in an LE boot.

Read More →
Red fabric background with blue and white Folds of Honor logo.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Folds of Honor Opens Scholarship Application for Children and Spouses of Fallen or Disabled Service Members and First Responders

The application period for the Folds of Honor scholarship program is now open through the end of March. Scholarships support students from early education through postsecondary studies, easing the financial burden for families who have given so much in service to others.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Closeup of hands reaching to pick up a ballistic helmet and a Team Wendy logo in a white box top center in the image.
PatrolFebruary 4, 2026

Team Wendy Now on GovX: Faster Verification and Discount Access for Eligible Professionals

With GovX verification now integrated directly into the Team Wendy checkout experience, eligible customers can confirm their status in just a few clicks and have the discount applied automatically.

Read More →
backgroudn image of desert with inset 5.11 logo and images of pant and boot.
PatrolJanuary 28, 2026

5.11 Debuts 2026 Footwear & Apparel at SHOT Show

5.11 showcased new apparel and footwear products during SHOT Show 2026, including new color options for the A/T Boa Lite Mid Boot and the Founder’s Jacket.

Read More →
Three tactical backpacks set against a desert background with an inset logo for 5.11.
PatrolJanuary 21, 2026

5.11 Debuts New Load-Bearing Gear at SHOT Show

5.11 launched a variety of new load-bearing gear, ranging from backpacks to chest packs, designed for training, travel, and everyday readiness, this week during SHOT Show 2026.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Blue background with Streamlight logo at top and inset images of one handgun light, two rifle lights, and one handheld light.
PatrolJanuary 21, 2026

Streamlight Launches the Rechargeable TLR-3X & Other Lights at SHOT Show

Streamlight launched the TLR-3X and TLR-3X USB, two new weapon lights, and an assortment of other new lights during SHOT Show 2026.

Read More →