Toy Gun Assaults Cause Fear In West Hartford Schools, Community

WEST HARTFORD, CT — Another social media challenge fad has reached West Hartford Public Schools, with school officials and local police warning the community about the use of toy guns against the public.

The topic of a letter sent out to the school community Thursday by West Hartford Public Schools is the so-called "Orbeez Challenge" and the use of "Orbeez guns."

Similar to paint ball guns but considered less harmful physically, "Orbeez" guns shot soft water gel pellets, which are less painful than paint balls, BBs, pellets and bullets. Orbeez is a brand name for a toy gun company out of Texas that makes and sells them.

Despite that, however, school and law enforcement officials are urging local children and teens to refrain from the challenge.

That's because this latest Tic Toc trend urges people to use these guns and shoot at innocent victims and/or vehicles, according to West Hartford Public Schools.

Despite perceptions these guns are less harmful, they can still cause pain and anxiety to bystanders who might be unaware of what they are.

"Devices like these, albeit a toy, can cause serious harm to individuals as well as to property," wrote West Hartford schools in the letter. "Pointing a toy gun can have dire consequences.

"WHPS and the West Hartford Police Department cannot overstate the dangers involved when individuals decide to participate in these behaviors."

School officials urged parents to discuss the situation with their children and said such toys are banned from both school property and any school activity or event.

"Student safety is the district's top priority," wrote the school system. "School officials will be reinforcing this important message with students in school iin the coming days and weeks."

The West Hartford Police Department called the situation "an increasing safety concern impacting our community," with officers on alert for any of these behaviors.

Similar concerns were expressed last week by Windsor Locks police regarding a local high school tradition of water gun attacks on select targets in town at the end of the school year, a fad called "Water Assassins."

For the full West Hartford School System letter about Orbeez guns, click on this link.

For more information on Orbeez guns, click on this link.

From April 25: 'Police Warn About Windsor Locks 'Water Assassins'