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VERNAL — Vernal police are investigating whether a challenge on social media led to the random shootings of several people with a pellet gun.
On Monday, police "received multiple calls reporting individuals being shot at from a moving vehicle with an airsoft-type weapon," according to a statement from Vernal police. On Tuesday, police had identified three victims who were shot in the face and leg, but detectives expected to find more victims as the investigation continued. None of the victims were seriously injured.
Two teenagers were identified as suspects and a toy gun that shoots small "orb" projectiles made of gel was recovered. "Though marketed as a toy, the projectiles are capable of inflicting injury, and firing one at a person is a crime," police said.
Investigators said they also discovered that "the suspects involved were acting as the result of a TikTok challenge." The challenge appeared to focus on shooting people at random with the toy gun, but that remained under investigation Tuesday.
Police said they expect to release more information later Tuesday or Wednesday. Anyone with information about the shootings is asked to call Vernal police at 435-789-5835, or 435-789-4222.
