Suspects target random victims with BB gun in Brandon

BRANDON (FOX 13) - Hillsborough County deputies were looking for three teens accused of randomly firing BBs from a silver minivan.

Since Saturday, four shootings have been reported, and at least three victims have come forward.

Justin Greany was shot on Monday as he waved a sign, advertising a puppy store on Rte. 60 in Brandon.

"It was like a loud 'crack' and 'pop,'" Greany recalled. "It was at the moment [the sign[ was up, so I am glad it didn't hit me in the face."

His shorts also helped block the BB blast.

"It seems pretty stupid, if they are just going to shoot random people out of their car," he said.

Among the three who were shot with BBs in Brandon and Seffner since Saturday, Greany is the lucky one.

Maria Chavez was outside her home on Sycamore Lane, in her minivan with the sliding door open.

"She just saw some random car come by and heard a loud noise," her son said, translating for her.

Pictures show her injury, and doctors had to do minor surgery to take the BB out.

"I was kind of worried that something might have happened to her," her son said.

Deputies say a third victim was hit in her neck, through the open window of her car as she was driving near Rte. 92 and Garden Lane.

Doctors had to take that BB out, as well.

"When summer is out, this is when kids tend to get bored, they tend to go out to have fun. One thing leads to another and then it gets out of hand," said Sgt. Troy Morgan of the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office. "I do believe that is what has happened."

Deputies say they may be looking for male teens in a silver minivan, and hope, in the meantime, to warn the public to be on the lookout.

Kayla Furlin saw Justin Greany get shot, and said she hopes the suspects are caught soon.

"After everything happening, going on the world, there is no need to do that," she said. "If you want to shoot things with BB guns, go in your backyard."

BBs from the fourth shooting hit an deputy's unmanned patrol car, parked at McLane Middle School. If caught, the suspects could face multiple felonies.