PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Police in Gloucester Township, Camden County say they have been getting lots of reports about people and animals being shot with Orbeez water beads, a children’s toy.
Orbeez are colorful, marble-sized, superabsorbent polymer balls that can look a lot like candy, making them especially appealing for babies and small children who tend to explore the world by putting things in their mouths.
According to police, someone alerted officials about kids shooting people with Orbeez from a moving car on Tuesday. Then on Wednesday, authorities said two men and a woman were shooting at random people walking by outside.
Five suspects, who posted their actions on social media, have been identified by police.
Toy maker Spin Master says Orbeez are meant for educational and sensory play, and it doesn’t make guns that shoot Orbeez. However, the beads can be loaded into paintball guns.
Gloucester police said they have zero tolerance for this kind of behavior.