Paintball, Pellet Shootings In Arlington Could Be Part Of TikTok Challenge: Police

ARLINGTON, VA — The Arlington County Police Department is investigating a series of drive-by paintball and pellet shooting at residents across the county.

The most recent shooting occurred Monday on Washington Blvd. at N. Highland Street in Clarendon, police said.

Police were dispatched to the area shortly before 5 p.m. in response to a report of a person with a gun. When they arrived, police officers determined a person was walking in the area when he was struck by pellets shot from a vehicle. The vehicle is described as a gray or light blue small SUV.

Similar incidents have been reported in other states and appear to stem from challenges that originated on social media, police said.

ARLnow reported Tuesday that the shootings could be part of a viral TikTok trend called the Orbeez challenge, which had led to injuries and arrests across the county.

Four people were shot with a paintball gun in Crystal City last Friday, causing one of the victims to seek treatment at a hospital for injuries.

Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to contact the Police Department's Tip Line at 703-228-4180 or ACPDTipline@arlingtonva.us or anonymously through the Arlington County Crime Solvers hotline at 1-866-411-TIPS (8477).

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