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Teen Arrested After Paintball Gun Fired During Racist Tirade At Natick High School

NATICK (CBS) – A teenager from Fall River is facing several charges after police say he shouted racial slurs and fired off a paintball gun outside of Natick High School.

Investigators said 18-year-old Jacob Rodrigues drove through the front of campus around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday, "shouting profanity and threats along with racial slurs." As he drove away, Rodrigues fired "three shots into the air in the direction of the school," according to Natick Superintendent Anna Nolin.

Jacob Rodrigues.
Jacob Rodrigues in court (WBZ-TV)

No one was hurt. Officers found Rodrigues, a former Keefe Tech student, off campus and arrested him. He pleaded not guilty Thursday in Natick District Court to several charges including a civil rights violation, assault with a dangerous weapon, disorderly conduct and threatening to commit a crime. He was released on a promise to return to court and did not speak to reporters afterwards.

Nolin said Rodrigues is not affiliated with Natick High School.

Natick
A paintball gun used in an incident at Natick High School. (Image Credit: Natick High School)

A parent of a Natick High student told WBZ-TV his daughter witnessed the incident, saying Rodrigues targeted two students because they are black. The parent said the students were terrified because when he fired the paintball gun, they thought it was real.

"We have no tolerance for racism or bigotry of any kind," the superintendent said in a statement.

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