AVON — An Avon Community School Corporation school resource officer is urging students to be mindful of when and where they use toy guns after a group of students, inspired by a social media trend, brought some to school.
The warning has circled through Avon High School for nearly two weeks now.
It all started with a rumor of a paintball battle after school on the last Friday before school before spring break. According to the rumor, students had planned to bring SplatRBall guns, a full-auto and semi-automatic electric toy gun that shoots water and ball bead ammo.
“If you are going to use these a controlled environment is your best option, and what I mean by a controlled environment is someplace where everyone involved knows what you are using,” School Resource Officer Richard Craig said.
In a video posted to TikTok, Craig says students brought them to school and used them in the parking lots.
He wants students to remember there's a time and a place to use guns — even if they're not real ones.
WRTV spoke to a student that said Avon High School leaders delivered a message on the loudspeaker that week warning about students using toy guns.
“Having something that resembles a real firearm in the hands of a teenager is what concerns me — and that's where my concern started from. 'Hey, this is fun to do this in the parking lot' to 'Hey this isn’t a good idea.' Kids needs to leave these at home,” Craig said.
“I understand that some of you are choosing to shoot these at each other after school,” Craig said in the TikTok video.
Craig said he is concerned some people might not be able to recognize it’s a fake gun.
Randi Tolentino, who has a child that goes to Avon High School, agrees with Officer Craig's message.
“As a parent, don’t do it. It's a toy. It doesn’t belong at school. Just use common sense, kids,” Tolentino said.
-
Carmel businesses see benefits, challenges with new DORA program
For the past several months, the city has been testing a DORA program, which allows customers to purchase an alcoholic beverage from a participating business and carry it within a set boundary.
Speedway awarded $100K grant for 16th Street corridor study
The Town of Speedway has received a $100,000 planning grant from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (IMPO) to study improvements along 16th Street, from Mickley Avenue to Main Street.
Community leaders push to keep east side liquor store closed, citing crime
Community leaders and business owners on Indianapolis’ east side are rallying to keep a controversial liquor store permanently closed, saying its absence has brought peace to the neighborhood.
Rokita: "2020 Census fundamentally flawed," supports redistricting efforts
Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita released a statement on Tuesday voicing his support for redistricting efforts to take place now in the Hoosier State.
