A prank involving a toy Orbeez gun escalated into an armed confrontation in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, leading to the arrests of a 15-year-old juvenile and a 49-year-old man. Port St. Lucie police responded to the area of SW Morelia Lane and SW Acapulco Terrace at approximately 8:50 p.m. after receiving reports that juveniles had fired what was initially believed to be a BB gun or pellet gun from a moving vehicle. During the investigation, officers learned that the juvenile had fired a blue, white and yellow motorized Piranha Orbeez toy gun from inside a moving vehicle, striking another occupied vehicle near the intersection.The juvenile admitted to intentionally firing the toy gun, explaining that he mistakenly believed the vehicle belonged to a friend because it was the same make and color. He said the juveniles were playing a prank on each other. Believing he and his fiancée were being shot at with a BB gun or pellet gun, Gregory Allen Davis, 49, and his fiancée followed the juveniles’ vehicle while remaining on the phone with 911 to provide updates to dispatch. Investigators determined Davis had multiple opportunities to safely disengage while law enforcement was actively responding to the incident.Instead, he continued pursuing the juveniles until their vehicle stopped in traffic at the intersection of SW Morelia Lane and SW Acapulco Terrace. Davis then exited his vehicle armed with a loaded 9mm handgun, ordering the three juveniles out of their vehicle at gunpoint and onto the ground, where they remained until officers arrived. Witnesses told investigators Davis repeatedly yelled vulgar commands while identifying the firearm as a “nine-millimeter.” Video obtained during the investigation corroborated witness statements and showed Davis maintaining the juveniles at gunpoint. Following the investigation, Davis was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and false imprisonment of a child to commit aggravated abuse. The juvenile, Jordan Gomez, 15, was arrested and charged with shooting or throwing a missile at or into an occupied vehicle. Investigators recovered Davis’ Taurus PT111 G2 9mm handgun and the blue, white and yellow Piranha Orbeez toy gun used during the incident as evidence. “This incident highlights how quickly a prank can escalate into a dangerous and potentially deadly situation,” the Port St. Lucie Police Department said. “Toy guns can cause someone to believe they are under attack, but this case also serves as a reminder that citizens should never take matters into their own hands by pursuing a potentially armed suspect. If you believe you are the victim of a crime, call 911, be a good witness, and allow law enforcement to respond. Choosing to pursue someone and confront them with a firearm can have serious criminal consequences.” The department also encouraged parents to speak with their children about the dangers of using Orbeez guns, airsoft guns, BB guns and other realistic-looking toy firearms in public.”While these items may be marketed as toys, their use can create fear, provoke dangerous reactions, and place everyone involved at significant risk,” the department said.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —
A prank involving a toy Orbeez gun escalated into an armed confrontation in Port St. Lucie on Wednesday, leading to the arrests of a 15-year-old juvenile and a 49-year-old man.
Port St. Lucie police responded to the area of SW Morelia Lane and SW Acapulco Terrace at approximately 8:50 p.m. after receiving reports that juveniles had fired what was initially believed to be a BB gun or pellet gun from a moving vehicle.
During the investigation, officers learned that the juvenile had fired a blue, white and yellow motorized Piranha Orbeez toy gun from inside a moving vehicle, striking another occupied vehicle near the intersection.
The juvenile admitted to intentionally firing the toy gun, explaining that he mistakenly believed the vehicle belonged to a friend because it was the same make and color. He said the juveniles were playing a prank on each other.
Port St. Lucie Police Department
Believing he and his fiancée were being shot at with a BB gun or pellet gun, Gregory Allen Davis, 49, and his fiancée followed the juveniles’ vehicle while remaining on the phone with 911 to provide updates to dispatch.
Investigators determined Davis had multiple opportunities to safely disengage while law enforcement was actively responding to the incident.
Instead, he continued pursuing the juveniles until their vehicle stopped in traffic at the intersection of SW Morelia Lane and SW Acapulco Terrace.
Davis then exited his vehicle armed with a loaded 9mm handgun, ordering the three juveniles out of their vehicle at gunpoint and onto the ground, where they remained until officers arrived. Witnesses told investigators Davis repeatedly yelled vulgar commands while identifying the firearm as a “nine-millimeter.” Video obtained during the investigation corroborated witness statements and showed Davis maintaining the juveniles at gunpoint.
Following the investigation, Davis was arrested and charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and false imprisonment of a child to commit aggravated abuse.
The juvenile, Jordan Gomez, 15, was arrested and charged with shooting or throwing a missile at or into an occupied vehicle.
Port St. Lucie Police Department
Investigators recovered Davis’ Taurus PT111 G2 9mm handgun and the blue, white and yellow Piranha Orbeez toy gun used during the incident as evidence.
“This incident highlights how quickly a prank can escalate into a dangerous and potentially deadly situation,” the Port St. Lucie Police Department said. “Toy guns can cause someone to believe they are under attack, but this case also serves as a reminder that citizens should never take matters into their own hands by pursuing a potentially armed suspect. If you believe you are the victim of a crime, call 911, be a good witness, and allow law enforcement to respond. Choosing to pursue someone and confront them with a firearm can have serious criminal consequences.”
The department also encouraged parents to speak with their children about the dangers of using Orbeez guns, airsoft guns, BB guns and other realistic-looking toy firearms in public.
“While these items may be marketed as toys, their use can create fear, provoke dangerous reactions, and place everyone involved at significant risk,” the department said.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.