TikTok Orbeez Challenge makes its way to Aquidneck Island and arrests pile up
A social media trend encouraging participants to shoot gel water beads at passersby has been linked to the recent arrest of two men in Middletown, but this is not the first incident involving gel guns to take place on Aquidneck Island.
The Middletown Police Department arrested men from Tiverton and Warren, both 29, for allegedly shooting water absorbing gel beads at a Middletown patrol officer with a “Splat Gel Gun” from their moving vehicle.
The Tiverton resident, identified as the passenger of the vehicle, was issued four felony charges: discharge of a firearm, assault of police officer, felony assault by use of device similar in appearance to a firearm and felony conspiracy, and was released after posting a $40,000 bail with surety. The Warren man identified as the driver was charged with the same four felonies and an additional misdemeanor DUI charge.
Police said the officer who was struck was treated and released from Newport Hospital for injuries sustained as a result of being struck with the pellets.
This is the first arrest to take place in Middletown to be attributed to the "Orbeez Challenge," a trend that started gaining traction on the video sharing social media platform TikTok in April where participants would use airsoft guns to shoot water gel beads at friends and strangers.
“We have had a few incidents but nothing that would be considered a prevalent or major ongoing issue,” Middletown Police Captain Michael Faria said via email.
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Arrests adding up in Newport
In the neighboring city of Newport, however, the trend has resulted in a fair share of arrests. Since May 1, the Newport Police Department has logged at least 11 incidents involving water bead guns, eight of which resulted in arrests, although Lt. April Amaral said there could be more that have yet to be entered following the city’s continued computer system issues.
Unlike in Middletown, however, the city lodged misdemeanor charges against those arrested. On May 10, two 20-year-olds were arrested for simple assault, disorderly conduct and conspiracy. The other five arrests were juveniles shooting at cars or school buses.
On May 25, Newport Police Department published a press release on the “Orbeez Challenge,” warning residents that the act of shooting Orbeez could result in an arrest or fine. The release cited municipal laws prohibiting the use, sale and discharge of air-propelled or spring-propelled guns in the city, as well as state laws against simple assault and disorderly conduct, as potential charges faced by those who engage in the activity.
Amaral said she is unaware as to whether retailers in the area who might sell water bead guns have been made aware of the issue and Faria said Middletown has not reached out to its local retailers either.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: TikTok Orbeez Challenge makes its way to Aquidneck Island
