Early this morning, threats against Pittsfield High and Taconic High schools prompted an investigation by the Pittsfield Police Department, which led to the identification of a person of interest. A seemingly harmless Orbeez gun, found to be non-working, was located at a local teenager's residence during the course of the investigation, as was announced in a social media post on Facebook.
Officials assured the public that there is "no immediate threat" to the schools and that officers, alongside School Resource Officers, have spoken with multiple parties including witnesses and those suspected to have been involved in the incident, the investigation continues with due diligence and the community remains under watchful eyes. Officers remind folks that possession of an Orbeez gun by persons under 18 is illegal in Massachusetts, unless an adult is present, this reminder also covers the act of discharging such an air-powered rifle.
Apart from reiterating the specifics of the state laws regarding the possession and use of these so-called non-lethal weapons, the police stressed that, under the state's General Law Chapter 269 Section 10J, carrying any kind of firearm, loaded or unloaded, or other dangerous weapon within school premises is prohibited, except for law enforcement—with Orbeez guns classified under the "dangerous weapons" category.
