Boy, 10, From Reading Shot In Face With Orbeez; Suspects At Large

READING, MA — Police are seeking the public's help in identifying the suspect or suspects involved after a 10-year-old Reading boy was shot in the face by an Orbeez gun Friday, according to the Reading Police Department.

The boy was shot with the Orbeez, which are small gel pellets containing water, while he and his friend were walking down Minot Street around 4:30 p.m. Friday.

Authorities shared a photo of the suspect vehicle, which appears to be an older Honda Accord that police believe was involved in an assault and battery with a dangerous weapon.

Police are urging anyone with relevant information to contact Reading Police at 781-944-1212.

Orbeez, produced by toy manufacturer Spin Master, are "designed for educational, creative, and sensory play and are not intended to be used as projectiles or inserted in mechanisms," a spokesperson told Business Insider in 2022 when reports emerged of a social media trend in which they were being used in guns as projectiles.

Spin Master does not manufacture or sell guns that shoot Orbeez, but they can be obtained through third parties.

In the years since, many local police departments have reported criminal charges being filed in cases of Orbeez gel gun calls, citing the real danger of being shot with gel beads.

According to Technology.com, "As with any toy that involves projectiles, there are potential safety risks involved due to accidental hits [by Orbeez] to vital body parts such as the face, especially the eyes or ears."