Cops in Florida have apprehended two teenagers for shooting a female victim in the eye with gel pellets from an Orbeez gun, imitating a dangerous TikTok challenge that has alarmed authorities.
The Seminole County teenagers, Jacob Canaynay and Joshua Sanchez, both 18, were arrested and charged with aggravated battery and simple battery and booked into the Pinellas County Jail, according to Clearwater police.
Authorities said the teens took turns shooting innocent people on the street, saying they were “just having fun.” The disturbing incident occurred around 1:30 a.m. near Clearwater Beach on Gulf View Boulevard by Salty’s, FOX 13 reported.
The victim, Jamie Pessina, told the local outlet that she was leaving work at Salty’s when the perpetrators nearly blinded her. Pessina said it felt like a rock had come at her “full blast” and she dropped to the ground.
Authorities said the incident is part of a new TikTok challenge wherein users fire gel pellets at random and record their reactions.
“Shooting someone with an Orbeez gun is not just some harmless shenanigan; it’s a crime that could leave you with a felony record,” police said in a Facebook post. “That’s an important note for young people and their parents to take note of.”
