Toy Gun Incident That Forced Lockdown Had TikTok Element: Police

Bolingbrook IL

22 March, 2022

2:44 PM

Description

BOLINGBROOK, IL — A toy gun that was seen pointed out a car window and that led three Plainfield schools being placed on lockdown on Monday was being used in connection to a TikTok video, Bolingbrook Police said Tuesday. A department spokesman told Patch that while there is no indication that the incident is tied directly to a social media challenge called the "Orbeez Challenge," there is evidence that the incident was driven by something on popular social media platform. As part of the Orbeez trend, young users film themselves on TikTok loading water-absorbent polymer beads, known as Orbeez balls, into gel blaster guns, and shooting bystanders at random, officials said. The gel blasters can be bought on the internet for between $50 to $100. Five juveniles were charged with disorderly conduct following Monday's incident, in which the three schools along Essington Road were placed on lockdown after witnesses told police they saw a car with a black gun sticking out the window. Police found the silver car near River Hills Park after a caller reported the car driving by two pedestrians and, with what appeared to be a black gun, demanded the pedestrians' wallets before quickly speeding off, Bolingbrook Police said Monday. RELATED: Toy Gun Sticking Out Car Window Forces Plainfield School Lockdown Bolingbrook Police conducted a traffic stop and found three toy guns in the vehicle. Five minors were detained, and each was charged before being released to their parents. A department spokesman described the guns recovered from the vehicle as being airsoft guns. On Tuesday, Bolingbrook Police issued a community alert about the presence of gel blaster toy guns which are being used as part of the social media trend, which has, in some instances, led to bystanders being shot, police said in the alert. "There has been a recent influx of citizen complaints and schoolroom chatter about Gel Blasters and "The Orbeez Challenge," police said. "These toy firearms are similar to airsoft guns, but shoot small gel balls that can cause injuries to eyes and soft tissue." The alert said that parents should be warned that there are countless dangers associated with carrying and displaying realistic toy firearms. The Municipal Code of the Village of Bolingbrook bans the use and transportation of toy firearms within the village limits, police said.