Man hit with BB in eye: ‘It felt like he was targeting people’s faces’

Shots fired from roof in downtown Whitewater

WHITEWATER, Wis. — Several people were struck by BBs shot by someone firing from a rooftop in downtown Whitewater Saturday, according to a release from Whitewater police.

Police said they were called at 10:24 p.m. on a rescue squad call near 130 West Main Street for a report of someone being struck by an unknown object.

The object was later determined to be a small metal BB pellet, officials said.

Several others victims reported being struck by BBs, and told police they believed the shots had come from the rooftop area of 135 West Main Street. Police said they found evidence of the shootings on the roof.

While canvassing the neighborhood on Sunday, police met with Marios N. Shahollori, 21, who lives at 135 West Main Street.

Police told witnesses Shahollori was using the fireworks at Whitewater’s July 4th celebration to silence his shooting, and was doing it to see peoples’ reactions.

One of the people hit by a BB was 28-year-old Brandon Downs, who is now partially blind because of the incident.

Downs said he thought the glass he saw shatter at a local business was from fireworks.

“As soon as it hit me, my first reaction was to grab my eye, and then I ran into the Brass Rail Bar right there and told the bartender to call the ambulance,” Downs said. “It felt like he was targeting people’s faces.”

The store owner where the window was shot out said she thought six people were shot.

Most shooting victims were treated at the scene. One was taken to Fort Atkinson Hospital and was later taken to UW Hospital in Madison for treatment, according to police.

Police said they found items of interest at Shahollori’s apartment and arrested him on suspicion of second-degree recklessly endangering safety disorderly conduct, substantial battery, damage to property, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Police said they’re looking for other persons of interest to questioning or anyone who was struck by a BB pellet while in the downtown area on Saturday night. Anyone with information is asked to call Whitewater police at 262-473-0555. Anonymous tips can called to Walworth County Crime Stoppers at 800-741-4616.

Downs’ family has set up a GoFundMe page to help with his medical expenses.