Gel Pellet Gun Suspected In Berkeley Aggravated Assault

BERKELEY, CA — Echoes of the innocent-sounding "Orbeez Challenge" from last year might still be posing a risk to Bay Area residents as the University of California Police in Berkeley report an alleged aggravated assault incident late Sunday night involving the use of a pellet gun that shoots out gel balls.

UC Berkeley police received a report around 11:26 p.m. Sunday of an alleged aggravated assault incident at Bancroft Way, near Telegraph Ave.

The victim was walking on the sidewalk when an unknown suspect allegedly shot at the victim with an "Orbeez" style pellet gun from a black Mercedes sedan. The victim was not injured. The car and suspect then fled the area, police said.

"Orbeez" — a toy-gun brand name — has become a by-word for toy guns that shoot out water- or gel-filled pellets, and became popular beginning in 2022 due to the "Orbeez Challenge" on TikTok, in which people shoot gel balls at each other for fun.

The activity, however, drew flak from safety advocates and police departments across the country in the wake of multiple reports of injuries among children and adults after getting shot at with gel pellets.

According to UC Berkeley police, aggravated assault is an unlawful attack by one person upon another for the purpose of inflicting severe or aggravated bodily injury. This type of assault is usually accompanied by the use of a weapon or by means likely to produce death or great bodily harm, police added.

If you have any information about this crime, please contact Berkeley Police at (510) 981-5900.

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