4 Teens Charged in BB Gun Shooting of Migrant

Four North County teen-agers were charged this week in connection with the BB gun shooting of a migrant worker while he waited for work on an Encinitas street corner, authorities said.

The four, who were not named, are in their middle to late teens, said Sheriff’s Department investigator Chris Serritella. They were charged with assault with a deadly weapon and released into the custody of their parents.

The incident took place about 10:30 a.m. Monday when at least one shot was fired from a truck that passed a group of migrant laborers standing at the corner of Encinitas Boulevard and Rancho Santa Fe Road.

One worker was hit in the leg but did not require hospital treatment.

Three teens were arrested Tuesday when a deputy spotted a car that matched the description of the suspects’ vehicle. A fourth boy was arrested Wednesday.

Authorities said the crime was racially motivated.

“Basically, they said they didn’t like Hispanics, didn’t like them living in the area and didn’t like the effects of their trying to carve out a life here,” Serritella said. “Some harsh feelings for a bunch of teen-agers.”

Deputies said they initially suspected the youths in a second shooting incident that occurred Monday night at the same spot, popular among migrants in search of day labor.

About 8:30 p.m., someone inside a white vehicle fired several pellets from a paint gun, striking one man near the eye. He required hospital treatment, authorities said.

Further investigation has ruled out the boys’ involvement, Serritella said. “The two vehicles were the same color, and the location is the same, but we now believe these teens were not responsible for the second attack,” he said.

Deputies have asked migrants at several locations--including the city-sponsored hiring hall on El Camino Real--to report any such incidents.