Evanston Police Search For Suspect Who Fired Paintball That Injured Man's Eye

(CBS) -- A 48-year-old Evanston man has undergone surgery at Evanston Hospital for an eye injury suffered when he was hit by a paintball fired Wednesday night from a passing car.

The attack was one of four Wednesday night, in a 15-minute period, that Evanston police believe to be related.

The man and a 37-year-old female companion told police several paintballs were fired at them from a white four-door vehicle that was eastbound on the 1600 block of Emerson Street.

The paintball attack, at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, was the third of four closely-spaced attacks.

The first occurred at 7:20 p.m., in the 1000 block of Dodge Avenue. Police said a 45-year-old Evanston woman and her two-year-old child were struck by two paintballs fired from a passing car.

Five minutes later, on the 900 block of Ashland Avenue, a dark-colored vehicle drove past four youngsters and fired an "air-type" gun at them, striking one in the back.

The teen refused medical treatment, and no projectiles were found.

The final attack, on Asbury Avenue near Dempster Street, at 7:33 p.m., targeted a 45-year-old Evanston man on his bicycle. Again, a white vehicle fired several paintballs at him, one of which struck him in the torso. He refused treatment.

Police are checking surveillance camera video for potential leads. Evanston police asked anyone who can assist detectives to call (847) 866-5040.