Unfortunately, COVID-19 doesn’t seem like the only thing destined for endemicity. A comparatively minor annoyance, but nonetheless very annoying, viral social media stunts have apparently become a permanently reoccurring phenomenon, and the new one has somehow, some way, managed to achieve an even greater stupidity than eating Tide Pods or whatever that Devious Licks thing was. Because the new fad is to shoot people with Orbeez-brand gel balls using airsoft guns.
Police believe the trend has hit Arlington. On March 16, a maroon SUV pulled up alongside a pedestrian near S. Eads and 12th Street; the suspect discharged a pellet gun, striking the victim before pulling away.
Two days later, at S. Eads and 15th in the evening, two victims and a parked car were struck by what appeared to be paint balls, shot from a silver, older model sedan. This was followed by an additional shooting on March 21 at Washington Boulevard and N. Highland Street in the afternoon, by a suspect driving a small SUV.
That shooting appears to have been enough to establish a pattern. As of March 22nd, the Arlington police have opened an investigation, with the knowledge that the shooting may have been inspired by the Orbeez Challenge.
Feature image, Tiko/stock.adobe.com
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