‘Serial slingshot shooter,’ 81, finally nabbed after terrorizing California town for nearly a decade

An 81-year-old “serial slingshot shooter” who had been terrorizing his California neighborhood with the rudimentary weapon for nearly a decade was arrested last week.

Azusa police collared octogenarian Prince King on Thursday after learning he — and not a teenage boy — was the person believed to be responsible for various instances of vandalism caused by the slingshot over the course of nine to ten years.

King, of Azusa, is accused of targeting dozens of residents through the years — breaking windows and windshields and nearly striking neighbors with ball bearings from the handheld device.

No injuries had been reported over the years but residents said the damage often cost them thousands to make repairs.

He was arrested in his neighborhood where cops were responding to a “quality of life” issue on the 900 block of North Enid Ave.

Police found new ball bearings and a slingshot at his home and promptly cuffed King.

The arrest is long overdue as cops have been investigating since the first reported slingshot incident nearly a decade ago.

“It’s been ongoing for many years because we just didn’t identify who the suspect was,” Azusa police Lt. Jake Bushey told the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.

Bushey said cops believe King used his backyard for shooting practice.

Police did not have a motive for the bizarre and drawn-out crime spree.

“We’re not aware of any kind of motive other than just malicious mischief,” Bushey told the local paper.

King did however target his shots — they were not random, police said.