PA Police Warn Of Dangerous TikTok Challenge With Gel Gun

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — Local police departments are warning folks about a dangerous social media challenge that urges users to shoot gel pellet guns at unsuspecting individuals.

The warning to parents and members of the public comes after some publicized incidents in which TikTok users are rising to a viral challenge that encourages them to shoot Orbeez gel pellet guns at random people.

Police agencies, such as the Upper Moreland Police Department in Montgomery County, are warning parents that if their children are involved in the challenge, they could potentially face criminal charges for their actions.

"Please talk to your children, monitor their social media activities, and ensure that they don't participate in criminal activity in the name of 'fun,'" Upper Moreland Police wrote in a message to the community.

Police say the gel pellets are actually now being modified to cause more series injury and pain to those who are targeted, and that the pellets are often used on unsuspecting bystanders who are completely caught off guard when shot.

A report on Fox 29 Philadelphia recently highlighted one particular incident involving the Orbeez Challenge that occurred in Radnor Township, Delaware County.

Police in Radnor stated that if an officer had witnessed the shooting challenge by some middle school students things could have escalated very quickly, which proves how dangerous these situations can be to the public.

An Internet search shows that communities across the entire nation have recently been dealing with incidents relating to the TikTok challenge.