Marin County Sherriff Makes Felony Arrest After Paintball Attack of a Pregnant Woman

On Friday, October 9, 2020, at approximately 3:38 PM, Deputies responded to the 200 block of Drake Ave. in Marin City regarding an assault that had taken place involving a paintball gun.

Deputies contacted an 18 year old woman who had been struck by approximately 30 paintball rounds. The woman, who is pregnant, presented injuries consistent with being struck by paintballs, on her back, arms, abdomen, and face. The woman was transported to a local hospital to treat her injuries.

A suspect description was obtained and Deputies on scene developed probable cause to arrest a suspect. The suspect was contacted and arrested at approximately 3:44 PM. He has been identified as Tyrell Dreshon Atkinson, a 19 year old man from Marin City who is currently on Marin County Adult Probation for Assault with a Deadly Weapon.

A search of the suspect’s vehicle yielded a semi-automatic paintball gun believed to be used in the attack. Atkinson was booked into the Marin County Jail on the following charges: 245(a)(4) PC – Assault with a Deadly Weapon; 246.3(b) PC – Willful Discharge of a BB Gun or Similar Device; 1203.2 PC – Felony Probation Violation; 6.32.020 Marin County Code – Discharge of an Air Rifle in an Unsafe Manner; and 12500(a) CVC – Unlicensed Driver.

This arrest was made during a time period in which the Sheriff’s Office has received multiple reports of dangerous paintball activity in the Marin City area since the beginning of September 2020.

The Sheriff’s Office has responded to approximately twenty incidents during that time involving young adults recklessly discharging paintball guns all throughout Marin City. On 9/21/2020, a 60 year old Marin City female resident reported being shot by paintballs approximately 6 times by a group of 5 to 6 males in the Marin City area. On 10/6/2020, a 34 year old male reported he had been struck by multiple paintball rounds while riding his bike in the 100 block of Drake Ave. in Marin City. No arrests have been made in either of these cases.

Anyone with information or who may have witnessed these incidents is encouraged to contact the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Division at (415) 479-2311.