BEACHWOOD: On February 26, 2024 at approximately 2:40 PM, the Beachwood Police Department received a report of students at Toms River Int. School South being shot with Orbeez Guns while they were walking the track outdoors during gym class. An Orbeez gun or blaster is described as a toy gun that shoots small, colorful Orbeez beads. An Orbeez gun is basically a high-powered water gun that shoots out hydrated Orbeez beads instead of water.

The students were immediately brought back indoors and those who were hit were checked for injuries by the school nurse staff. It was determined that twenty-six students were struck by the Orbeez beads and no one sustained serious injuries.

Units immediately responded, and began searching for the vehicle and those involved. Soon after, the vehicle and those involved were located at an address in Beachwood. All four of the subjects were determined to be juveniles. Three Orbeez guns were recovered and seized from the vehicle involved in this incident.

A separate incident was later reported to this agency involving this group of juveniles at a residence on Mizzen Avenue. The victim reported being struck in the leg. The victim did not sustain any serious injuries.

The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office has approved criminal complaints of Harassment and 4th degree Possession of a Weapon for Unlawful Purpose. School staff is diligently working with the children who have been directly involved in this unfortunate incident.

Should anyone have any additional information such as video footage that may be beneficial to this investigation, please contact Detective David Bowden @ (732) 286-6000 ext. 100.

The Beachwood Police Department does not release arrest photos of defendants, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.