Police have confirmed they believe a pellet gun or similar device has been used to shoot at nearly a dozen properties in the north-east.
Police are investigating after 10 homes and businesses across Buchan and Formartine were shot at.
The incidents occurred between last Thursday and yesterday, with officers believing the properties have been randomly targeted.
Residents in Ellon, Oldmeldrum, Hatton, Boddam and Cruden Bay have all reported damage to their windows.
Police previously said there was no evidence to point to a weapon being used and suggested that, since some of the properties were near a road, it might just be debris.
Now however, they have confirmed they believe the culprits and driving past the houses and shooting at them from a vehicle.
Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and trace those involved.
Sergeant Richard Barnwell said: “This kind of behaviour is completely unacceptable and will be robustly investigated.
“The properties appear to have been randomly targeted and those responsible have shown complete disregard for the impact this could have on the occupants within.
“We are appealing for members of the public who were in or travelling through the mentioned areas between last Thursday and Monday and saw anything suspicious, to come forward.
“It is likely that the suspects have been using a vehicle to drive around the area and shoot projectiles at windows of these properties, situated on the main roads.
“If you witnessed anything of this nature, or have dash-cam footage which could assist our inquiries, please get in touch.”
Anyone with information should call 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously.