Incidents concerning TikTok trend leads to several arrests police say

Another local community is seeing multiple arrests due to a TikTok challenge.

The “Orbeez Challenge” which encourages participants to use toy guns to shoot at people, cars, and homes with gel-based beads or similar, has resulted in arrests in Fall River and other areas across New England and the country. The photo above even shows the result of an “Orbeez” incident from out of state. Since May 7th, Newport, RI Police have had approximately eight incidents resulting in several arrests.

The Newport Police Department is stressing the fact that this challenge is not a joke and there are consequences. Children and/or young adults may not know or realize the act of shooting an Orbeez could result in an arrest or fine. The Newport Police Department would like to make parents aware of this challenge, its dangers, and the long-term results of being criminally charged for participating in unlawful activity associated with this challenge. The following possible charges for this behavior are as follows:

• 9.16.010. – Air guns prohibited—Exceptions.
No person shall use, sell, offer to sell or have in his or her possession an air rifle or air pistol or any similar instrument in which the propelling force is a spring or air, except that such devices used in connection with an amusement licensed by council or at pistol ranges duly authorized by law shall not be considered a violation of this section.

• 9.16.020. – Discharge of air or spring guns.
Subject to the qualification made in no person shall fire or discharge within the city any air gun, spring gun or other device which is calculated or intended to propel or project a bullet, pellet or similar projectile.

• 11-5-3 Simple Assault or Battery
Except as otherwise provided in § 11-5-2, every person who shall make an assault or battery or both shall be imprisoned not exceeding one year or fined not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both.

•11-45-1 Disorderly Conduct
(a) A person commits disorderly conduct if he or she intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly: (1) Engages in fighting or threatening, or in violent tumultuous behavior

In March, Fall River Police were investigating multiple incidents where people and property were struck with pellets/Orbeez in the city.

In April, a Fall River teen was arrested after an Orbeez investigation by police.