Florida Man Charged In Salem Toy Gun Shooting Out Car Window: Police

SALEM, MA — A Florida man was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon in Salem after he was accused of firing a toy gun that shoots water gel balls out of a car window near Salem State University on Thursday.

Salem police said they responded to reports of a person shooting a BB gun out of a car window on Canal Street early Thursday night. Police said a small gray sedan was reported on Canal Street with someone in the car shooting at pedestrians.

Police said they stopped a car matching the description on Washington Street and saw what appeared to be a "rifle barrel" at the feet of the rear passenger.

"Subsequent investigation determined that this was an Orbeeze gun — a plastic toy resembling a gun — that shoots water gel balls," police said.

Police said Rocket Power, 20, of Palm County, Florida, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon.

"This is the second incident in less than a month in which an 'Orbeeze gun' has been used to commit crimes in Salem," police said. "Both incidents caused fear and resulted in a significant police response. Improper use of these types of 'toys' is a serious offense that can result in serious injury to innocent bystanders and arrest of the offender."

Police said a similar Orbeeze gun was believed to be used early last month when a group reported being harassed based on their perceived sexual orientation inside the Wendy's on Lafayette before one of them said they were hit with a projectile from a gun once outside the restaurant.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)