Amaris Sampson, known online as “Xena the Witch,” has been charged with two misdemeanors in connection with the incident.
AUSTIN, Texas — Austin police have arrested a woman they say shot someone with a paintball gun while livestreaming near Lady Bird Lake.
The Austin Police Department (APD) said just before 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, video evidence captured several live streamers armed with paintball guns participating in a scavenger hunt near 2200 South Lakeshore Boulevard, not far from EpicSUP, a paddleboard and kayak rental business.
APD spoke with a victim who said they had been struck by a paintball shot by one of the streamers, resulting in injury.
In an update provided Thursday, APD said based on the investigation, a warrant was issued for the arrest of 29-year-old Amaris Sampson.
Sampson, known online as “Xena the Witcher” or “xena the witch,” was arrested on Wednesday and booked into the Travis County Jail on charges of Assault with Bodily Injury and Deadly Conduct, both Class A misdemeanors. Jail records show she also faces an unspecified, out-of-county misdemeanor.
APD said Sampson intentionally or knowingly caused bodily injury to the victim by shooting them with a paintball, and that she was recklessly engaging in conduct that put others in danger by shooting the paintball gun in a public area without safety precautions.
A bond has not yet been set for Sampson, according to jail records.
APD said anyone with any information about this incident can submit a tip anonymously through Capital Area Crime Stoppers online or by calling 512-472-8477.