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.
-
Kokomo Infill Program turns vacant lots into new single-family homes
The Kokomo Infill Program is a partnership between the City and the Kokomo Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit that works to revitalize low-income neighborhoods.
Arsenal Tech student designs Overdose Task Force Unit's first logo
On Monday, students at Arsenal Tech High School were part of an effort to spur change and save lives.
Federal funding cuts threaten affordable housing resources in central Indiana
Funding cuts to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development programs threaten affordable housing initiatives in Indiana impacting vulnerable communities.
Property tax rally calls on lawmakers to give immediate property tax relief
About 200 Hoosiers gathered at the statehouse to demand relief from high property taxes, sending a strong message to lawmakers: failure to address the issue could cost them their seats.
