Pembroke Pines, FL - The two teenagers arrested for shooting 25 people with a pellet gun as part of a popular social media trend appeared in front of a South Florida judge on Wednesday.
The two 18-year-olds, identified by police as Andrew Morales and Ryan Quiroz, were arrested Tuesday after police received reports of a disturbance that involved a gray Chevrolet Silverado spotted in Pembroke Pines and Miramar.
Investigators determined the suspects were using a pellet gun to shoot various individuals with water pellets.
Approximately 25 people were shot throughout Pembroke Pines and Miramar, including a senior citizen.
Authorities say the shooting was part of a TikTok tend called the Orbeez Challenge, where people playfully shoot their friends by surprise with water pellets.
However, police say there was nothing playful about these shootings.
Pembroke Pines Police Maj. Al Xiques tells WSVN “the individuals that had been shot, were shot throughout their body, and several of them were shot in the face. Being shot with one of these pellets hurts and can cause serious damage and injury.”
“There were several misdemeanor charges against these individuals for battery, for having committed these crimes, as well as a felony for having shot someone above the age of 65,” said Xiques.
Morales and Quiroz face three counts of misdemeanor simple battery and felony battery on a person over 65 years old.
The two appeared before a judge on Wednesday and have since posted bond.