Westport Police: 3 Teens Arrested after Dangerous TikTok Challenge

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Westport Police Department Press Release:

On the evening of Saturday May 28, 2022, the Westport Police Department received several emergency calls from various locations around town.  In each of these instances, the callers reported that a group of youths traveling in a vehicle had been shooting projectiles at passing pedestrians.  In one instance, a juvenile victim reported being struck in the eye.

Callers were able to provide a detailed description of the vehicle in question.  Responding officers began searching the area for the suspect vehicle and were ultimately able to locate and effectuate a motor vehicle stop with it in the area of Greens Farms Road and Compo Road South.  The three occupants were quickly identified as juveniles.  Within the passenger compartment, officers located toy air soft guns capable of firing gel like projectiles at a high velocity.  It was apparent that these youths were participating in a viral TikTok challenge known as the “Orbeez Challenge.”

All three juveniles were subsequently taken into custody and charged with multiple counts of Assault 3rd Degree, Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree and Breach of Peace 2nd Degree.  They were released to their parents.

Any other victims from that evening are encouraged to formally report these incidents to the Westport Police Department.  Please let this arrest serve as a reminder that following social media trends can be extremely dangerous and have consequences.