EPD respond to several reports of criminal mischief involving fireworks.

Several vehicles were reportedly damaged Thursday after being struck by projectiles from fireworks that were illegally being discharged at a local apartment complex, according to El Dorado police reports.

In one instance, a 16-year-old boy told police he was also grazed by a bullet as a volley of projectiles from fireworks struck the vehicle in which he was riding.

At approximately 11:38 p.m., officers were called to the 500 block of West Hillsboro “in reference to a juvenile being shot.”

Police said the victim was not on the scene when they arrived and a 17-year-old boy told police that a bullet had grazed the younger boy.

The younger boy returned minutes later, police said, and he was treated on the scene by emergency medical technicians for a minor injury to the left elbow.

The 16-year-old told police he was riding with three other teens in a pickup truck when the group went to Haygood-Neal Garden Apartments, 1315 W. First, to visit a relative.

He noted that he was riding in the bed of the truck with the 17-year-old boy and two older teens, 18 and 19, were inside the cab.

As the teens were leaving Haygood Neal, a group of people began shooting fireworks at the truck, the 16-year-old said.

He said someone also fired a gun at the truck and a bullet grazed his left elbow.

No other injuries were reported.

Police said the four teens did not provide any further information regarding the shooting. The owner of the vehicle later told police fireworks damaged the truck.

Officers had responded earlier to two other reports of suspects targeting vehicles with fireworks at Haygood Neal.

At 9:34 p.m., a man told officers that someone began shooting fireworks toward him as he stood near his vehicle while it was parked at Haygood Neal.

He said the projectiles struck his vehicle, causing multiple burns on the exterior of the vehicle.

The man said he did not know who discharged the fireworks.

Another such report came in at 11:19 p.m., police said.

A man told officers that he had gone to Haygood Neal earlier and people began shooting fireworks at his vehicle as he drove through the parking lot.

The complainant noted that the top of the vehicle was down at the time and some of the projectiles landed inside the vehicle.

He said the suspects continued shooting fireworks toward his vehicle as he “quickly exited the parking lot.”

The man said at one point, he noticed smoke coming from the backseat and he began removing the fireworks from inside his vehicle once he was safely out of the Haygood Neal parking lot.

He told police there were burns and gunpowder marks on the backseat and a scratch on the left side of the trunk.

Prior to July 4, police issued public reminders that, per city ordinance, it is illegal to

“(sell), set off, ignite or otherwise explode any firecrackers or other fireworks within the city limits.”

Lt. Chris Lutman, public information officer for the EPD, said the police department was beefing up patrols for the next few days to manage the increased numbers of calls they typically receive this time of year about fireworks being discharged in city limits.

Lutman also said that officers will also continue to be on the lookout for impaired drivers over the weekend. Arrest

Charges were amended Friday for an El Dorado man who is accused of intentionally causing his girlfriend to run off the road and strike a tree while the couple’s children were inside the vehicle.

Joshua P. Miller, 25, of the 600 block of Champagnolle Road, was arrested Wednesday, initially on charges of endangering the welfare of a minor, first-degree, and third-degree domestic battery.

On Friday, police reported that after further investigation, they added three felony counts of endangering the welfare of a minor, four counts of aggravated assault on a family or household member and enhanced penalties of offenses committed in the presence of a minor.

Police responded just before noon Wednesday to a report of a domestic disturbance in the 300 block of Ivy.

Upon arrival, officers said they separated Miller from the complainant, Miller’s girlfriend, who was sitting inside her vehicle.

Police said the vehicle had veered off the road and struck a tree across from the complainant’s residence.

The woman told officers that she attempted to leave the residence during an argument, noting that Miller had refused her demands to leave.

She said she decided to leave the residence and as she was attempting to leave with the children, Miller grabbed her by the neck and slammed her head into the wall several times.

The woman said she then grabbed a pair of scissors and cut Miller in the right hand multiple times in selfdefense.

After the complainant and children got into her vehicle, Miller ran after them, grabbed onto the driver’s door and pulled the steering wheel as she was driving away, causing her to veer off the road and crash into the tree, she said.

No injuries were reported.

Police said Miller did not provide a statement about the incident.

Officers noted he had several lacerations on his right hand and Miller said he sustained the injuries while “picking up glass.”

He was treated and released from Medical Center of South Arkansas.

Miller is scheduled for a first appearance hearing Monday in 35th Judicial District Court.