A man in Port St. Lucie, Florida, is facing multiple charges after he allegedly held three teenagers at gunpoint. As per the police, one of these juveniles had fired a multi-colored Orbeez toy gun at the man’s car, leading him to believe he was being shot at with a real firearm.
According to a news release issued by the Port St. Lucie Police Department (PSLPD), the incident occurred on Wednesday, June 24. During the evening, officers responded to the intersection of SW Morelia Lane and SW Acapulco Terrace.
The PSLPD had received reports of juveniles causing trouble from a moving vehicle. Allegedly, they had been firing what was believed to be a BB gun or a pellet gun near the aforementioned intersection.
The police department deployed a drone, which responded to the intersection. Patrol units, with the intel provided by the drone, arrived shortly after.
The Gel Gun That Started It All
Upon arrival, police began an investigation into what exactly had occurred. Turns out, the juvenile involved in the incident, a 15-year-old, had used a blue, white, and yellow Piranha Orbeez toy gun to carry out his “shooting.”
According to the teenagers, they believed that they were shooting at an occupied vehicle that belonged to a friend of theirs, police said. Allegedly, they admitted to attempting to pull off a prank.
However, the individual inside the vehicle that was being shot at with the Orbeez was not an acquaintance of theirs. The man was identified later as 49-year-old Gregory Allen Davis.
Things Escalate
Davis, as per the PSLPD, believed that he and his fiancée, who was also inside the car, were being shot at. Therefore, he decided to take matters into his own hands.
While he called 911 and was on the line with an operator, Davis allegedly pursued the juveniles. Police investigators determined that, during this whole interaction, Davis had multiple opportunities to safely disengage, as police officers were already responding to the scene.
The police release detailed that the juveniles eventually stopped. Then, Davis is accused of exiting his vehicle and, armed with a 9mm handgun, ordering the juveniles to exit the vehicle at gunpoint.
Man and Juvenile Arrested
As a result, both Davis and the 15-year-old juvenile, who has not been identified due to his age, were arrested. The teenager is charged with shooting or throwing a missile at or into an occupied vehicle.
Meanwhile, Gregory Allen Davis is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and false imprisonment of a child to commit aggravated abuse. If convicted of the aggravated assault charge, he could face up to 5 years in prison.
The PSLPD reminded Port St. Lucie residents to refrain from attempting to play pranks involving Orbeez guns, airsoft guns, BB guns, or other harmless firearms. The police department added: “They can create fear, provoke dangerous reactions, and result in criminal charges.”