Solon schools warn students, parents about dangers of splat weapons, gel blasters

SOLON, Ohio - - On the last day of classes, the Solon City Schools are marking the start of Summer vacation with an alerting to trainees and moms and dads about the possible threats of so-called splat guns or gel blasters, that shoot water-filled BBs or pellets.

Jay Bender, who is the district's security director, informed Fox 8, "They can travel up about 200 feet per second, they are powerful adequate to leave contusions and welts and obviously, there's a big danger to the eyes and face."

The district is advising families that gel blasters are not enabled on school grounds, in Solon Community Park or at any other public property in the city.

" There has actually become a pattern of kids satisfying up after school and having fights with these weapons. We've also had a few reports of people who are not participating in these battles, getting shot by these guns," Bender said.

In one case, a 10-year-old Solon boy was hit with a gel BB, fired from a carload of teenagers as he was riding his bike in Community Park.

The school district is now advising parents to have a conversation with their kids about the splat guns.

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" I would inform my kids, keep them in the yard. Don't shoot them at each other, and despite what you're shooting them at, use eye security," Bender said.

A local professional on safety and security said the truth that some of the so-called toys appear like genuine guns and can be seen by others as positioning a genuine threat, can have tragic consequences.

Dr. Ken Trump informed Fox 8, "They're taking out a weapon in a TikTok difficulty in a lively mode, in some type of game that winds up in injury or even death."

The June 2022, the death of 17-year-old Ethan Liming in Akron illustrates how the perceived threat posed by a splat weapon can lead to violence.

Akron Police said Ethan was with a group of pals who fired rounds from a gel blaster at boys playing basketball at the I Promise School.

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Private investigators said the males initially thought it was gunfire and pulled away, however then decided to chase after the teens. Ethan Liming was eliminated as an outcome of the violent conflict that followed.

Attorneys for the 3 males who were later detained in connection with Ethan Liming's death have actually argued that it was self-defense, in response to the perceived danger from the firing of the gel blaster..