On August 4, a park ranger noticed fresh yellow paint splatters on various buildings at Jumbo Rocks Campground and alerted police. During the investigation, rangers discovered a slingshot in a vehicle and questioned nearby visitors. Three of them confessed to shooting paintballs the night before using a paintball gun and slingshots.

Park officials confiscated three slingshots, a paintball gun, paintballs and other related equipment. Paintball guns and slingshots are considered weapons and are prohibited in the park.

“Defacement or alteration of the NPS landscape, no matter how small, is against the law,” said Jeff Filosa, assistant chief ranger of Joshua Tree National Park. “It damages the natural environment that millions of people around the world come to enjoy. The park must regularly remove graffiti of all kinds, which takes time and resources that could be better spent on other priorities.”

The three people face fines of up to $5,000 and/or up to six months in prison. Park maintenance crews are currently working to repair the paint damage.

Joshua Tree National Park in California is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and is about a three-hour drive from Las Vegas.

Source: 8 News Now