City of Middletown
POLICE DEPARTMENT

May 18, 2023
For Immediate Release
Contact: Chief Erik Costa, 860-638-4100

Press Release - Toy "Blaster" Incident on Grand St

On May 16, 2023 at approximately 4:36 pm, the Middletown Police were called to the area of Grand Street for the report of two juveniles being struck with water beads from a “splatter ball” or “Orbeez Blaster” toy. An “Orbeez Blaster” is a toy that discharges soft polymer beads that have been previously soaked in water to create a jelly like, non-lethal ball.  

On arrival, Officers learned that two Middletown students (ages 11 and 12) got off the school bus at the intersection of Grand Street and High Street at approximately 3:20 pm. As the students started walking home, a vehicle pulled up to them. The front seat passenger of the vehicle reached out the window and displayed what the juveniles described as a “Nerf gun”. The passenger began discharging the beads from the toy at the students and one juvenile was struck in the face. The students recognized the projectiles as “Orbeez” splatter balls as they were running away.

There were no reported injuries but one juvenile was said to have had had minor redness near his/her eye prior to police arrival. The juveniles described the vehicle as a tan sedan. The passenger discharging the beads was described as a black male wearing a ski mask. Officers checked the area and determined that a resident, who wished to remain anonymous, had video footage of the incident. Officers identified the vehicle as a tan colored Chrysler sedan with no identifiable markings.  

This incident remains under investigation but appears to be a random occurrence with no immediate threat(s) to public safety.

Anyone with information on the identity of the subjects in this case are encouraged to contact Ofc. Ceccolini of the Middletown Police Department at 860-638-4000.