At least one teen is being prosecuted over the new TikTok trend dubbed the “Orbeez challenge” that incites users to attack unsuspecting people and shoot them with a gel pellet gun.
Police in Peachtree City, Georgia warned on Facebook about the challenge that was reported in Philadelphia, Orlando, Atlanta, the Bay area, Phoenix, and elsewhere.
“We continue to see teenagers…discharging splat ball guns (Orbeez) at other people…even at innocent bystanders. Now they are modifying the beads to be more painful,” police said.
“Officers in Volusia County, Florida also warned of a string of Orbeez shootings in the area leading to four arrests so far,” Volusia County police added.
A 19-year-old was arrested recently in Volusia Count after shooting an Amazon delivery driver with a toy gun, hitting his glasses and neck in addition to a 10-year-old and another adult.
“These kids think it’s funny. They’re violating the law. They’re committing a battery. If the pellet happens to injure the person to the point it breaks the skin, could be looking at a felony charge. These things don’t go away. Could affect your future,” Winter Garden Police Captain Scott Allen warned.
