3 airsoft gun shootings in Charlottetown could be inspired by TikTok dare, police say
CBC
A 15-year-old male has been charged in one of three separate incidents in Charlottetown that police believe could be related to a trend on the social media platform TikTok that dares users to shoot people with pellet or airsoft guns.
The teen was arrested after a report of a "drive-by" style shooting with what is believed to be an airsoft gun at the corner of Water and Prince streets shortly after 6 p.m. Friday.
Airsoft guns look like real guns, but shoot plastic pellets instead of bullets.
There were no injuries, according to police.
However, while escorting a witness and a victim to the police station for interviews, officers noticed the suspect vehicle and pulled it over. Five youths were inside the vehicle. The 15-year-old was arrested and subsequently charged with assault with a weapon, possession of a weapon for dangerous purposes, and discharging an air gun with intent to wound.
He was later released with conditions and will appear in provincial court at a later date.
Charlottetown police responded to two other similar incidents. The first report was received Friday at 1 p.m. when two female students at Charlottetown Rural High School had been shot with an airsoft gun while on lunch, police said. The students did not sustain any injuries. The case is still under investigation.
The other report came in Saturday at 7:45 p.m. Police said two male youths were walking on Fitzroy Street, when male youths in a white Hyundai Elantra drove by and shot at them with what is believed to be an airsoft gun. The victim was shot in the leg.
Through the course of the investigations, police have learned of a TikTok challenge that encourages people to shoot others or property with airsoft or BB guns. Users of the social media platform are asked to report these videos to TikTok.
Charlottetown police warn that anyone caught participating will be charged with weapon offences.
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