Two teens arrested, accused of shooting water beads at people

PEMBROKE PINES — Two 18-year-olds were charged with battery after shooting water beads at about 25 people in Pembroke Pines and Miramar in a social media challenge, officials said.

Ryan Quiroz and Andrew Morales, both of Pembroke Pines, are suspected of firing water beads with a pellet gun at people because Quiroz and Morales were participating in the “Orbeez Challenge,” which was issued on TikTok, a popular social media platform, according to Pembroke Pines police.

Pembroke Pines police responded to several 911 calls about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday involving a gray Chevy Silverado.

Police said the suspects “fled the area” before they issued an alert to neighboring jurisdictions. Quiroz and Morales were detained by Miramar police.

The teenagers were taken to the Broward Sheriff ’s Office Main Jail, facing a felony charge of battery on a person over 65 and three misdemeanor battery charges.

Police ask parents to talk to their children about social media challenges, and remind them the “Orbeez Challenge” is a crime. Police also said parents should remind children pointing any type of weapon at a person could result in serious consequences.

Target and Amazon are among the merchants that mention TikTok in online ads for the “Orbeez Challenge Activity Kit,” which sells for $17.49 on both websites.

The Target ad says, in part, “Orbeez are the original water beads, as seen in TikTok challenges and oddly satisfying videos! With Orbeez, there’s no limit to what you can do!”

The Amazon ad says, in part, “THE ONE AND ONLY ORBEEZ, AS SEEN ON TIKTOK: Orbeez kids toys are the original water beads, as seen in TikTok challenges and oddly satisfying videos! With Orbeez, there’s no limit to what you can do!”

Police departments throughout Florida have warned of the dangers of this particular TikTok challenge for months.