Police: Bike-Riding BB Gun Suspect Arrested, Faces Malicious Wounding Charges

Officers have arrested a man suspected of using a BB gun to shoot two teens in the chest in the past month, including one incident Wednesday, according to Manassas City Police.

Raul Soto, 24, of 9973 Shallow Creek Loop,Manassas, is charged with two counts of malicious wounding. Soto is being held without bond.

On May 13, two siblings were walking near their home in the 9500 block of Jayhawk Terrace when Soto allegedly approached them on a bike. He initially asked for directions and said he was getting a map out of his backpack.

Police allege the Soto instead pulled out a BB gun and shot the victim, 15, in the chest, causing a minor injury. Soto reportedly apologized, saying he had only intended to play a prank. He then left the area.

On Wednesday, there was a similar incident involving a Metz Middle School student. The boy, 14, told police that he was walking in the area of Rolling Road and Country Lane before school when he was approached by a man on a bike who police have identified as Soto.

The victim told police that he was crossing the street outside of the crosswalk when the man approached, pointed to the crosswalk and told the victim he should obey the law. 

Soto then allegedly followed the victim to the bus stop where he pulled the BB gun from the backpack he was wearing and shot two pellets into the victim’s stomach area causing minor injury, according to police.

Soto was arrested at his home Wednesday afternoon.