ROYSE CITY, Texas — It might have started as a game but the results were anything but.
Police in Royse City, Texas, say what’s known as the "Orbeez Challenge" on TikTok led to a lockdown and active shooter investigation Friday at Royse City High School.
Police at 8:12 a.m. received a call about an armed person on campus. Witnesses said they saw someone in the parking lot pointing a gun at another person. It was then reported that several people were running from the parking lot into the school.
The school was placed on lockdown and officers from several police agencies arrived. They located what appeared to be several airsoft pellets on the ground and in the parking lot. Five students were identified as being involved and taken into custody.
Police also recovered three airsoft rifles, one airsoft pistol and a BB gun from the students.
Orbeez manufactures water-absorbent beads intended for kids 5 and up. According to police, the challenge encourages people to use airsoft or BB guns to shoot them at one another.
The challenge has been linked to a number of recent police incidents, from Tennessee to Michigan and Florida.
According to police the “students involved will face serious ramifications for their actions by the School District and possible criminal charges.”
Royse City police said the challenge is straining police resources across the country because each incident must be investigated as if it involves an active shooter.
The incident at Royse City High School remains under investigation.