Tesla driver describes moment he was 'shot' by youths with catapults

The man, whose Tesla sustained a damaged door after being shot at by a catapult, claimed staff in a nearby shop “thought there was a terror attack” after the store’s windows were also damaged. 

Police are now investigating the incident, which took place in Ringwood Road at the Turbary Road roundabout shortly before 8pm on Monday, February 20. 

The Tesla driver, who has asked to remain anonymous, said it was a “horrific incident”, adding: “At the time I didn’t know what was shot at me.  

The BMW went back round the dual carriageway (Image: Sent in by reader)

“I was driving with a passenger on our way to a football match and we heard a massive bang. 

“I then pulled over and the car, a BMW, went up the dual carriageway and back down again. They passed me and were firing at people and vehicles as well as at a convenience shop.” 

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Footage captured on the man’s Tesla shows a person leaning out of the window of a moving BMW and firing what appears to be a slingshot into the distance. 

“They must have been firing some big ball bearings because I have a hole in my door – that will be a fair amount of money to fix,” he added. 

“The next day when we realised what had happened, we were a little shook up.”

He said when he spoke with people in a shop which was targeted, staff claimed to be “shook up and thought it was a terror attack”, adding: “They said they could hear loud bangs and hid everybody in the storeroom, locked them in and phoned the police.” 

It is alleged a gang of youths were outside McDonald’s in Ringwood Road and another gang was firing at them. The Tesla driver said: “It looks like I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, I wasn’t a target I believe.” 

Ringwood Road, where the incident took place (Image: Google Maps)

A spokeswoman for Dorset Police said: “We received a report at 11.28pm on Monday 20 February 2023 of criminal damage to a car in Ringwood Road in Ferndown. It is reported to have occurred at around 7.45pm on the same day. 

“At 7.49pm on Monday 20 February 2023, Dorset Police received a report that items were discharged from a catapult in Turbary Road in Ferndown. Damage was caused to a shop window. 

“No one was injured in either of the incidents. Enquiries are ongoing to identify those responsible. No arrests have been made.”