BEACHWOOD – Four juveniles were charged with firing gel beads from toy guns at school students and at least one other resident, police said.
Students were walking the outdoor track during gym class when they were pelted with gel beads from Orbeez guns shot from a vehicle driving by. Police said this took place at Toms River Intermediate School South at around 2:40 p.m. on February 26.
These toys fire small, colorful beads rather than BBs or pellets. The police described them as a high-powered water gun that shoots hydrated Orbeez beads instead of water.
The students were brought inside and checked for injuries by the nurse. “It was determined that 26 students were struck by the Orbeez beads and no one sustained serious injuries,” police said.
A victim on Mizzen Avenue also reported being shot in the leg but was not seriously injured, police said.
The suspects and the vehicle were soon found by police at an address in town. Three Orbeez guns were seized. There were four suspects and they were all juveniles.
“The Ocean County Prosecutors Office has approved criminal complaints of Harassment and 4th degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purposes,” police said. “School staff is diligently working with the children who have been directly involved in this unfortunate incident.”
Anyone with information that could help this investigation, such as video footage, is urged to call Detective David Bowden at (732) 286-6000 ext. 100.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
