Staff Writer
HOULTON — Two teenage girls were hurt last Wednesday night when they were shot with an airsoft gun.
Pioneer Times Photos/Sarah Berthiaume
SEIZED — This is one of two airsoft guns seized by Houlton Police after a suspect allegedly used them to shoot at two teenage girls. The guns may not look like traditional weapons, but they can still cause serious injury, warn police.
Houlton Police Chief Butch Asselin said a 14-year-old girl and a 15-year-old girl were walking on Highland Avenue around 5 p.m. when they were allegedly shot by 18-year-old Sean Wiggins of Houlton. Police believe Wiggins shot the two while as he drove by in a 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix.
“The victims were walking south on Highland Avenue when they saw the car go by and then circle around,” explained Asselin. “The car slowed up and, at that time, he allegedly fired several shots. The 14-year-old was hit in the leg and the 15-year-old was hit in the upper left shoulder.”
Their injuries didn’t require treatment at the hospital, but two did sustain bruising and swelling.
“These are high-velocity projectiles,” said Asselin. “The 15-year-old who suffered the upper left shoulder injury had a whole torn in her shirt by the pellet.”
Police say the motive in the shooting may involve Wiggins’ ex-girlfriend who is related to one of the victims.
Two airsoft guns, a 9mm pistol and another that looks like a pump shotgun, were seized in the investigation. The guns fire plastic pellets roughly twice the size of traditional BBs.
“They’re not real weapons, but they still could have caused some serious injury, especially if a victim had been hit in the eye,” added Asselin.
Wiggins has been charged aggravated assault, a class B crime.
Cpl. Dana Duff investigated the incident with assistance from Officer Steve Nason.
