60-Year-Old Man Given Probation for Shooting Road CCTV with Air Gun to Avoid Signal Violation Detection

Court: "Considering repair cost payment and absence of additional casualties"

A man in his 60s was given a suspended sentence on charges of damaging a closed-circuit television (CCTV) by shooting it with an unauthorized air gun, believing that it had captured a traffic signal violation while driving.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Yoon Seul-gi] A man in his 60s was sentenced to a suspended prison term for damaging a closed-circuit television (CCTV) on the road by shooting it with an unauthorized air gun, believing that it had captured a traffic signal violation.

The Criminal Division 13 of the Gwangju District Court (Chief Judge Shim Jae-hyun) announced on the 1st that it sentenced Mr. A (61), who was charged with violating the Act on the Control of Firearms, Swords, and Explosives and damaging special public property, to two years in prison with a three-year suspension and ordered 240 hours of community service.

Additionally, the court sentenced Mr. B (57), who incited Mr. A to shoot the gun, to one year in prison with a two-year suspension and ordered 120 hours of community service.

The court stated, "Mr. A possessed an unauthorized air gun and directly damaged the CCTV managed by the county office. Improper use of firearms can cause casualties and other damages, and considering that he went into hiding during the police investigation, his culpability is not light."

However, the court explained the sentencing reasons, saying, "Considering that repair costs were paid and no additional casualties occurred, and that Mr. B, like Mr. A, went into hiding during the investigation causing confusion but admitted to the crime and showed remorse."

Earlier, they were accused of shooting and damaging a CCTV on a road in Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do, with an unauthorized air gun at around 2:45 a.m. on December 29 last year, believing it had recorded a traffic signal violation.

Investigations revealed that Mr. B, who was driving the car at the time, proposed, "I'll take full responsibility, so let's shoot the CCTV," and Mr. A damaged the CCTV with the air gun. Mr. A had his air gun possession permit revoked in 2012 for violating the Firearms Act.