Volusia County

Deputies arrest teens involved in dangerous new social media trend

VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — The latest social media trend gaining traction on TikTok has law enforcement agencies across Central Florida worried.

It’s called the “Orbeez” challenge and it involves shooting strangers with Orbeez water beads shot from pellet guns.

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Volusia County deputies have arrested four young men accused of shooting at random people.

Deputies said 19-year-old Sean McMullen fired Orbeez at an Amazon delivery driver Thursday in Deltona, hitting him in his glasses and his neck while he was driving his route.

According to police, McMullen also shot another random adult and hit a 10-year-old child in the face and chest.

McMullen is charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle, child abuse, and two counts of battery.

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On Friday, two people at Wes Crile Park in Deltona were hit by pellets fired from a van that took off after the shooting.

A man trimming trees outside a home in Deltona also reported the same van to police after he was shot in the back by Orbeez beads, breaking his skin and leaving welts.

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Deputies tracked down the van and charged 18-year-old Diego Medina Vega and two 17-year-olds with battery. Vega was also charged with two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

On Monday, a Port Orange woman pushing a child in a stroller was the victim of a drive-by Orbeez shooting.

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