GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Green Bay police are warning of a new threat to the community: gel guns, which can look like real guns.
The air guns that fire small gel balls were even used in a robbery at Bay Beach Amusement Park on Wednesday, officers say. Five people — all juveniles — were arrested in connection with that case.
Earlier that day, police investigated a report of pellet guns in downtown Green Bay. They found a juvenile carrying two gel guns. When police tried to confiscate the guns, they say more juveniles confronted them. A total of six people were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, obstructing or resisting an officer as well as battery or threat to an officer.
Officers say they have investigated 18 incidents in less than a month involving these guns. GBPD described multiple incidents involving juveniles firing these guns.
Police say injuries are particularly likely if the guns fired at the eyes or other more sensitive areas.
To address the increased use of gel guns, GBPD plans to deploy directed patrols in parks and downtown Green Bay throughout the rest of the summer.
