On Thursday, June 4, 2020 deputies with the Marion County Sheriff’s Office arrested 17-year-old Justin Ackley (DOB: 7-23-2002) and 18-year-old Dylan Pilcher (DOB: 3-20-2002) after the teens shot paintballs from a car at victims in the area of Summerfield, Florida.
On Wednesday evening, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for service in the area of Summerfield, after victims reported being struck by paintballs by a passing car while walking down the sidewalk. Both victims advised they heard a popping noise, and then were struck by the paintballs. The first victim was struck in the back of the head, and the water bottle she was carrying was struck as well. Responding deputies located a growing lump on the back of the first victim’s head were she was struck by the paintball. The second victim was struck in the back of the leg on her right calf. The second victim had a fresh welt that broke the skin where she had been struck by the paintball.
Deputy Ryan Battle and Deputy Ashlyn Whelchel of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office Patrol Unit identified Dylan Pilcher as a possible suspect. Deputies made contact with Pilcher at his home where he told deputies he picked up his friend, Justin Ackley, earlier in the evening and they drove into Belleview to get some food. Deputies told Pilcher his vehicle matched the description of the vehicle used in the battery earlier in the evening, as well as the description of the vehicle used in similar incidents being investigated by the Ocala Police Department Major Crimes Unit. Pilcher confessed to deputies he only drove the vehicle, that Ackley had been the one shooting paintballs at victims in both cases.
Deputies arrested both Ackley and Pilcher. Ackley was charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and one count of Shooting a Missile into a Dwelling, Vehicle, Building or Aircraft. Pilcher was charged with two counts of Aggravated Battery with a Deadly Weapon and one count of Shooting a Missile into a Dwelling, Vehicle, Building or Aircraft. Ackley was arrested and transported to the Marion County Department of Juvenile Justice. Pilcher was arrested and transported to the Marion County Jail. At the time of this release, both teens are awaiting their first appearance in court.
