Teens play ‘dangerous game’ with BB guns and social media, local police say

Bloomington Police
Police are asking anyone who might have information about these incidents to contact BPD’s Crime & Intelligence Analysis Unit (CIAU) at 309-434-2963 or send an email to [email protected]. Normal Police can be contacted at 309-454-9535 or at [email protected]. (Facebook/Bloomington Police)

 

By HOI ABC

BLOOMINGTON – Police in Bloomington-Normal want to put a stop to what they say is a “dangerous game” local teens are playing using BB guns and social media.

Police said in the past few weeks, there have been 13 cases of teens shooting BB or Airsoft guns at people and cars.

Officer John Fermon of the Bloomington Police Department said teens are sending videos of the incidents over Snapchat to encourage others to play the game.

According to Fermon, the game is causing an increase in calls as victims believe they’re being robbed, or worse.

“We’ve got officers following up with the incidents, trying to figure out who’s doing it,” said Fermon.

“Right now, it’s a call to action to stop, to let the public know this is occurring, and to let whoever is doing it know to stop doing it right now,” the officer said.

Police are asking anyone who might have information about these incidents to contact BPD’s Crime & Intelligence Analysis Unit (CIAU) at 309-434-2963 or send an email to [email protected].

Normal Police can be contacted at 309-454-9535 or at [email protected]

Police said they’re accepting anonymous tips as well.

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…