Police in St. Petersburg use gel air guns against young people

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More than 200 youths gathered in downtown St. Petersburg on Saturday night and some of them fired gel pellet guns at the crowd. Police are cracking down on similar behavior.

Later that night, a teenager randomly shot in front of a moving car on Beach Drive. Two 14-year-olds and the 22-year-old who was driving the car were arrested.

St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway spoke at a news conference, saying the victims included two police officers, a couple eating outside and a police horse.

The gel pellets burn but generally do not cause permanent damage unless they hit sensitive areas such as the eyes. If fired at cars, they can cause drivers to become distracted and cause an accident.

“I really want to tell the young people and their parents: If we catch these children using these toys incorrectly, we will arrest them.”

The horse suffered minor injuries from gunshot wounds to the shoulder, neck and eye.

“We were very lucky that the horse did not throw the rider or run into the crowd.”

Holloway says adults who are with teens who shoot air guns will be charged. He also says parents of teens who shoot the guns will have to pay restitution to victims.