WESTLAKE, Ohio — The Westlake Police Department has issued a warning to residents of the city regarding a recent trend in which juveniles are shooting unsuspecting victims with airsoft, BB and/or splatter ball guns.
RELATED: More local coverage from WKYC
According to a post on the Westlake PD's Facebook page, there have been reports of kids who have recorded these acts to post to social media apps such as TikTok. The Police Department is asking that parents be aware of the trend and to speak with their children about the seriousness of the behavior, especially if their children own such "toy" guns.
While no serious injuries have been reported as a result of this trend, the police department said that it is being proactive in preventing a "tragic accident." The post also warned that anybody caught engaging in such activity will be criminally charged.
"Firing any type of projectile at another person could not only cause a serious injury, but it can be easily mistaken for a real firearm creating dire consequences with how a victim or police may respond," the post reads. "There have been no serious injuries reported to WPD at this time. We need your help in preventing a tragic accident before it happens and want all to be aware that criminal charges will be filed against anyone caught doing this."
More local coverage from WKYC:
- They're back! Buzzards return to Hinckley in annual tradition
- 'We're entering a new phase': Ohio reducing daily COVID reports to one day per week
- State fire marshals investigating blaze at Fat Daddy of Burton restaurant in Geauga County
- Watch: Crews remove dome off of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport radar tower
- 13-year-old girl stabbed at Holy Name Elementary School in Cleveland, 5th grader taken into police custody
- FORECAST | Wintry System Arrives Starts Up Tomorrow Afternoon
