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Nov. 6—NORWICH — Police arrested an 18-year-old Taftville man and two juveniles Thursday after several complaints of people shooting “splat” guns throughout the city, according to an arrest report from Norwich police.
Gallo Pagan, of 510 Riverview Lane, was charged with breach of peace and second-degree reckless endangerment. The names of two other people arrested were not listed because they were under 18 years old.
The SplatRBall is a water bead blaster, and the top of its website warns, “Warning: Do not take SplatRBall blasters onto any school or federal property. Do not aim or blast at people or animals. Do not make or paint SplatRBall blasters to look like a gun.” A video below shows kids using it on cans and targets.
Gel beads are often called orbs.
Police said a witness observed Pagan and two others fire their vehicle at a pedestrian in the area of Backus Hospital, following an earlier report that a man had been hit with a similar projectile while walking in the Chelsea Green area.
Police said the witness provided a description of the vehicle and the license plate. The car was found in Taftville, where Pagan and two juveniles lived, and three “splat” guns were in the vehicle. All subjects were arrested and charged with breach of peace and second degree reckless endangerment.
Police across the country have warned of splat guns, and the incidents are believed to be instigated by the Tik Tok challenge.
For example, the Cibolo Police Department in Texas wrote in a Facebook post in May, “Although marketed as toys, these gel projectiles can cause bodily injury. Incidents like this are no joke, this is not a game, and can be an arrestable offense.”
e.moser@theday.com
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