Father Charged After Allegedly Shooting at Teens Over Bullying Claims
A California father, Craig Steven Miceli, 54, is facing serious charges after he reportedly fired shots at an SUV occupied by three teenage boys. The incident is said to have stemmed from allegations that the teens were bullying Miceli’s daughter.
Miceli faces one charge of shooting at an occupied vehicle, three counts of assault with a firearm, and two counts of possessing an assault weapon. He has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
According to the San Mateo Police Department, the incident occurred on May 25, and it stemmed from prior incidents of alleged bullying. Fortunately, no one was hurt during the shooting. Police noted that the impact of bullying can have lasting effects on all involved.
The boys, aged 17 and 16, told authorities they were out "looking to pull pranks" and admitted to throwing eggs at Miceli’s home after they had previously poured canola oil on his porch, which Miceli later complained took him hours to clean up.
Miceli reportedly fired two shots at the SUV, with one stray bullet missing entirely and the other striking the passenger door. He claimed he was only trying to scare the boys by shooting at the tires.
The incident has raised concerns about handling conflicts without resorting to violence. District Attorney Steve Wagstaffe emphasized the importance of parents discussing the dangers of pranks with their teens, stating, "You can’t take out a gun and seek your own revenge."
After the shooting, Miceli disposed of the weapon in a nearby lake, which has not yet been recovered. Following a search of his home, law enforcement found ammunition and an illegal automatic rifle.
Miceli’s next court appearance for a preliminary hearing is set for June 9. His attorney could not be reached for comment.
