In a recent incident at Joshua Tree National Park, two German tourists are now facing serious consequences after being caught vandalizing the park’s property. The National Parks Service (NPS) reported that the pair admitted to using slingshots and a paintball gun to splatter yellow paint on various structures and signs within the park.
It all began on the morning of August 4, when a park ranger noticed fresh paintball markings during routine rounds. A deeper investigation led to the discovery of a vehicle with a slingshot in plain sight. Upon questioning, the tourists confessed to their misdeeds, leading rangers to confiscate several slingshots, a paintball gun, paintballs, and other related gear.
This wasn’t a minor infraction. The vandals managed to damage at least 11 roadway signs along Park Boulevard, stretching from Jumbo Rocks campground to the Maze Trailhead, a significant stretch that sees high visitor traffic. The NPS has made it clear that vandalism of any kind is a serious offense, with penalties reaching up to $5,000 in fines and six months behind bars.
“Defacing the park is not just illegal; it’s a direct assault on the natural beauty that millions travel from around the world to experience,” said Jeff Filosa, the park’s acting chief ranger. Maintenance teams are now working diligently to clean up the mess, but this incident is a harsh reminder of past vandalism that left the park scarred, especially during the 2019 government shutdown.
