Ottawa police suspect TikTok challenge behind group of people shooting gel balls from vehicle
Red and blue lights atop an Ottawa police vehicle are seen in this undated file photo.
Ottawa police say several people were charged this weekend after callers reported a group driving around the ByWard Market shooting a gel ball gun.
Police said it happened just after midnight Saturday in the Clarence Street area. The pellets had reportedly struck some people, but police said no one was hurt.
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
The suspect vehicle was found and police seized a gel ball blaster and several gel balls. The people in the car were given several provincial offence notices, according to police.
"The vehicle occupants appeared to be doing a TikTok challenge," Ottawa police said on social media.
Police in several jurisdictions have occasionally warned their communities about the so-called "Orbeez challenge" on TikTok, which involves firing the toy water beads from guns at unsuspecting people.
Last year, Brockville police charged two young people with assault with a weapon after they had allegedly shot people with a gel bead gun. A similar case was reported in York Region in 2022.
Spin Master, the Canadian company that markets Orbeez, has said in statements to U.S. media that it does not manufacture or sell guns that shoot Orbeez and that the toy beads are not intended to be used as projectiles. Toy guns that fire the beads, however, are widely available online, including from retailers like Walmart.
TikTok searches for "Orbeez challenge" are blocked, with a note saying the videos could violate the platform's community guidelines. Videos featuring the gel blasters being used recreationally are still common on the app.
Ottawa police did not identify any of the individuals involved in the incident Saturday night, but warned against using even imitation guns recklessly.
"We take very seriously any actions that threaten the safety of our community, like using a real firearm, a replica firearm or an imitation firearm to commit a crime or intimidate someone," police said.
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
London Ont. Liberal MPs say that Trudeau is taking time to reflect on his future
Both of London’s Liberal MPs are choosing their words carefully when it comes to their party's leadership future. They were asked about the situation in Ottawa at Friday's housing announcement in London.
New rules clarify when travellers are compensated for flight disruptions
The federal government is proposing new rules surrounding airlines' obligations to travellers whose flights are disrupted, even when delays or cancellations are caused by an "exceptional circumstance" outside of carriers' control.
Trudeau's 2024: Did the PM become less popular this year?
Justin Trudeau’s numbers have been relatively steady this calendar year, but they've also been at their worst, according to tracking data from CTV News pollster Nik Nanos.
Blake Lively accuses 'It Ends With Us' director Justin Baldoni of harassment and smear campaign
Blake Lively has accused her 'It Ends With Us' director and co-star Justin Baldoni of sexual harassment on the set of the movie and a subsequent effort to “destroy' her reputation in a legal complaint.
10 people including children die in stampede in Nigeria at a Christmas charity event
Ten people, including four children, were killed in a stampede in Nigeria's capital city as a large crowd gathered to collect food and clothing items distributed by a local church at an annual Christmas event, the police said Saturday.
Wild boar hybrid identified near Fort Macleod, Alta.
Acting on information, an investigation by the Municipal District of Willow Creek's Agricultural Services Board (ASB) found a small population of wild boar hybrids being farmed near Fort Macleod.
Manhunt underway after woman, 23, allegedly kidnapped, found alive in river
A woman in her 20s who was possibly abducted by her ex is in hospital after the car she was in plunged into the Richelieu River.
Calling all bloodhounds: These P.E.I. blood donors have four legs and a tail
Dogs are donating blood and saving the lives of canines at the University of Prince Edward Island's Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown.
Summer McIntosh makes guest appearance in 'The Nutcracker'
Summer McIntosh made a splash during her guest appearance in The National Ballet of Canada’s production of 'The Nutcracker.'
Atlantic
-
Cancellations, closures accompany Maritime storm
There are a number of closures in the Maritimes Saturday after a nor'easter brought heavy snow to parts of the region.
-
Calling all bloodhounds: These P.E.I. blood donors have four legs and a tail
Dogs are donating blood and saving the lives of canines at the University of Prince Edward Island's Atlantic Veterinary College in Charlottetown.
-
Maritime weather: Warnings expanded as nor'easter approaches
Snowfall warnings are now in effect for mainland Nova Scotia and southeastern New Brunswick.
Toronto
-
Homicide investigation underway in Toronto's Corso Italia neighbourhood
A homicide investigation is underway after a male who was found in Toronto’s Corso Italia neighbourhood early Saturday morning died in hospital, police say.
-
Toronto firefighters rescue man who fell into sinkhole in Yorkville
A man who fell into a sinkhole in Yorkville on a snowy Friday night in Toronto has been rescued after being stuck in the ground for roughly half an hour.
-
Winning $20-million Lotto Max ticket sold in Hamilton
Someone who purchased a Lotto Max ticket in Hamilton for Friday night’s draw is now $20-million richer.
Montreal
-
Canada Post says many parcels held up by strike to arrive before Christmas
Canada Post says it has processed its backlog of parcels from the month-long strike and expects a significant portion of them to be delivered before Christmas.
-
Judge sentences Quebecer convicted of triple murder who shows 'no remorse'
A Quebecer convicted in a triple murder on Montreal's South Shore has been sentenced to life in prison without chance of parole for 20 years in the second-degree death of Synthia Bussieres.
-
Manhunt underway after woman, 23, allegedly kidnapped, found alive in river
A woman in her 20s who was possibly abducted by her ex is in hospital after the car she was in plunged into the Richelieu River.
Northern Ontario
-
Robinson Superior First Nations provided settlement offer from Canada over annuities owed
Details haven’t been made public yet about the settlement offer presented on Friday by Canada to the 12 First Nations in the Robinson Superior Treaty Territory.
-
Northern Ont. man illegally killed three moose, one deer
A man from the northwestern Ontario community of Dinorwic has been found guilty of multiple hunting offences and fined $6,500, banned from hunting for five years and placed on probation for 18 months.
-
Poilievre writes to GG calling for House recall, confidence vote after Singh declares he's ready to bring Liberals down
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has written to Gov. Gen. Mary Simon, imploring her to 'use your authority to inform the prime minister that he must' recall the House of Commons so a non-confidence vote can be held. This move comes in light of NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh publishing a letter stating his caucus 'will vote to bring this government down' sometime in 2025.
Windsor
-
'It's got to stop, it's that simple': Windsor cab drivers warn of unregulated operators
Drivers now compete with individuals using social media to advertise rides at cut-rate prices. One person offers $10 rides within the city, while another promotes daily trips from Windsor to Toronto for $45 per person.
-
New rules clarify when travellers are compensated for flight disruptions
The federal government is proposing new rules surrounding airlines' obligations to travellers whose flights are disrupted, even when delays or cancellations are caused by an "exceptional circumstance" outside of carriers' control.
-
Windsor-Essex toes the threshold of a cold warning, with temperatures set to plunge tonight
It’s going to be bitterly cold outside overnight on Saturday, although we will remain just under the threshold for an official cold warning from the health unit.
London
-
London Ont. Liberal MPs say that Trudeau is taking time to reflect on his future
Both of London’s Liberal MPs are choosing their words carefully when it comes to their party's leadership future. They were asked about the situation in Ottawa at Friday's housing announcement in London.
-
Cold Weather Alert issued as temperatures could reach -18˚C or lower
With Environment Canada forecasting temperatures as low as -16˚C and -18˚C with the wind chill, Southwestern Public Health (SWPH) is issuing a cold weather alert for its region.
-
New rules clarify when travellers are compensated for flight disruptions
The federal government is proposing new rules surrounding airlines' obligations to travellers whose flights are disrupted, even when delays or cancellations are caused by an "exceptional circumstance" outside of carriers' control.
Kitchener
-
Hydro out in Listowel following collision
Police say a collision between a vehicle and hydro box happened Saturday morning and as a result, hydro is out in the town of Listowel.
-
Suspect sought in Paris, Ont. assault investigation
The Brant County Ontario Provincial Police responded to a reported assault on Scott Avenue in Paris just before 10 p.m. on Dec. 9.
-
Winning $20-million Lotto Max ticket sold in Hamilton
Someone who purchased a Lotto Max ticket in Hamilton for Friday night’s draw is now $20-million richer.
Barrie
-
Multi-vehicle collision on Highway 11 in Oro-Medonte
Southbound traffic along Highway 11 through Oro-Medonte was brought to a crawl Friday after a multi-vehicle collision.
-
High school teacher charged with sexual assault amid allegations involving a student
A 51-year-old teacher from Georgina has been charged with sexual assault following allegations involving a student.
-
One driver faces several charges following Highway 400 crash in Oro-Medonte
Traffic came to a standstill Friday afternoon following a single-vehicle collision on Highway 400 in Oro-Medonte.
Winnipeg
-
Residential parking ban lifted in Winnipeg
The City of Winnipeg has lifted its parking ban on residential streets.
-
Bail denied for Winnipeg woman accused of killing animals in online videos
Warning: This story contains disturbing details. Discretion is advised. A Winnipeg woman accused of making videos of animals being tortured and killed that were sold on the dark web was denied bail.
-
Ace Burpee's Top 100 Most Fascinating Manitobans of 2024
It’s been another year of Manitobans doing interesting, incredible and cool things. The hardest part of compiling this list is cutting it off at 100.
Calgary
-
Wild boar hybrid identified near Fort Macleod, Alta.
Acting on information, an investigation by the Municipal District of Willow Creek's Agricultural Services Board (ASB) found a small population of wild boar hybrids being farmed near Fort Macleod.
-
1 man hospitalized in serious condition after Friday collision in northeast
A man is in hospital after being struck by a truckin northeast Calgary on Friday afternoon.
-
Here’s why your Calgary Enmax bill may go down in 2025
The City of Calgary had some good news for Calgary residents Friday morning, announcing that their Enmax bill may get a bit lower in 2025.
Edmonton
-
Second inmate dies at Edmonton Remand Centre in as many days
An inmate died at the Edmonton Remand Centre on Thursday night.
-
It's eggnog season. The boozy beverage dates back to medieval England but remains a holiday hit
At Scoma's Restaurant in San Francisco, this holiday season 's batch of eggnog began 11 months ago.
-
Child pornography charges laid against 52-year-old woman
A Sherwood Park woman has been charged with two child pornography offences.
Regina
-
'A sense of holiday spirit': Local shelter hosts Regina’s most vulnerable at annual Christmas dinner
For nearly 35 years, Souls Harbour Rescue Mission has been serving an annual Christmas dinner to Regina’s most vulnerable.
-
Drivers encouraged to check Highway Hotline before holiday travel
After receiving another big dump of snow over the past couple of days, Saskatchewan drivers have had to contend with some treacherous driving conditions.
-
Regina man creates snow sculpture to spread joy and inspire donations
A Regina man created a snow sculpture of a Santa head to spread joy and inspire donations to Big Brothers Big Sisters.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. lawyers defend judge for staying fatal THC-impaired driving charge
The Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers Association is defending a provincial court judge, who’s facing backlash for staying a charge in a high-profile case involving the death of a child.
-
Sask. police investigating mischief incident after bomb report in school
Prince Albert police are investigating a mischief incident after a bomb report in a school Friday afternoon.
-
Prince Albert woman collects donations to make Christmas hampers for community
A Prince Albert woman is spreading holiday cheer by organizing Christmas hampers for those in need.
Vancouver
-
B.C. woman with photographic memory strives to make unforgettable Christmas displays
Although Alisha Pauling is looking through old pictures, she doesn’t need them to remember her Christmases past. She has a photographic memory.
-
Internet stranger's kind gesture restores Canucks fan's faith in humanity
A Nanaimo, B.C., couple is in awe at the kindness of an internet stranger who helped them track down a coveted Christmas gift.
-
16-year-old German exchange student dies after North Vancouver crash
A 16-year-old high school student from Germany who was hit by a Jeep in North Vancouver, B.C., last weekend has died in hospital, authorities confirmed.
Vancouver Island
-
B.C. man 'trying to appear cool' with loaded handgun at nightclub sentenced
A 23-year-old British Columbia man who pleaded guilty to carrying a loaded handgun inside a crowded nightclub has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison.
-
Warrants issued for 'violent offenders' after Nanaimo jewelry store robbery
Authorities are asking for the public 's help finding two suspects wanted in connection with a Nanaimo, B.C., jewelry store robbery earlier this year.
-
B.C. teachers cultivate community through merry music videos
Although his classroom is filled with students now, Jeff Bordal will never forget how empty it once was.
Kelowna
-
Forfeited Hells Angels clubhouse in Kelowna, B.C., sold to the city
A former Hells Angels clubhouse that was seized by the British Columbia government in 2023 after years of fighting in court has been sold to the City of Kelowna.
-
Death of woman found in Kelowna's Waterfront Park in June deemed 'non-criminal in nature': RCMP
Police in Kelowna say a death they began investigating back in June has now been confirmed as "non-criminal in nature."
-
B.C. man sentenced for 'execution-style' murder of bystander in drug trade conflict
A B.C. man convicted of the "intentional and ruthless killing of a bystander" while acting as an enforcer in the drug trade has been sentenced for a second time in the slaying.
