Published: July 10, 2008 10:29 pm      

Police: Couple assaulted man with paintball gun

WINDBER — A borough couple are accused of aggravated assault after police said they repeatedly shot a man with a paintball gun and fractured his skull with the weapon early July 3.

Patricia Marie Bouch, 19, and Johnathan Edward Kimmel, 20, both of the 400 block of Eighth Street, were arraigned Thursday before District Judge Joseph Cannoni of Windber.

Bouch was sent to the Somerset County Jail in lieu of $15,000 bond; Kimmel was jailed in lieu of $5,000.

Authorities said an investigation revealed Bouch and Kimmel conspired to assault the man with paintball and pellet guns.

Bouch hit him in the head with the paintball gun, causing a concussion and fractured skull, according to a court document.

The man suffered puncture wounds and bruises from the paintballs, authorities said.

The incident reportedly happened at 1:13 a.m. in the 800 block of Graham Avenue.

The two are charged with aggravated and simple assault, criminal conspiracy, reckless endangerment and disorderly conduct.

A motive for the assault was not immediately clear. No more information was available Thursday, Officer-in-charge Rick Skiles said.