Three German tourists have been charged with federal charges for shooting paintballs at signs, bathrooms and trash cans at Joshua Tree National Park, authorities said Thursday.
On Sunday, a park ranger noticed new paintball splatter on buildings in the park, according to the Park Service. An investigation of a nearby campground revealed a slingshot inside a vehicle, the park service said in a news release.
Authorities said the tourists admitted to shooting with compressed air paintball guns or paintball markers and slingshots the night before. Rangers reportedly found three slingshots, a paintball marker, paintballs and other evidence inside the vehicle.
The park service said at least 11 road signs were hit with yellow paint.
“It is illegal to damage or alter a national park landscape, no matter how small,” Joshua Tree National Park acting chief ranger Jeff Filosa said in a news release. “It disrupts the experience of millions of people visiting the park. A natural environment the world enjoys. Parks regularly take on the task of removing graffiti of all types, utilizing time and resources that could be better used on other priorities.
The group was charged with vandalizing, defacing or destroying property. They face up to six months in prison and a $5,000 fine, officials said.
Paintball guns and slingshots are legally considered weapons and are not allowed in national parks.
According to the Park Service, Joshua Tree is one of the most popular national parks in the United States, receiving more than 3 million visitors annually.
