The UT Police Department this weekend received two reports from students who had been shot at with airsoft or Orbeez pellet pistols from moving vehicles.<\/p>\n
These incidents appear to be part of a social media trend.<\/p>\n
The incidents are under investigation. We are working to identify the offenders and we will seek criminal prosecution.<\/p>\n
We want to make our students aware that engaging in this type of behavior is a crime. You could be charged with simple assault or a more serious crime should the victim sustain serious bodily injury.<\/p>\n
Additionally, the City of Knoxville ordinance 19-109 prohibits the \u201cdischarge of\u00a0air\u00a0guns, spring\u00a0guns, etc,\u201d\u00a0stating that it is \u201cunlawful for any person to fire or discharge any\u00a0air\u00a0gun\u00a0or\u00a0air\u00a0pistol, spring\u00a0gun\u00a0or spring\u00a0pistol, or other device or\u00a0firearm\u00a0which is calculated or intended to propel or project a bullet, pellet,\u00a0air\u00a0or similar projectile, within the city.”<\/p>\n
Finally, engaging in this behavior could put you in danger. You may see this as a game but the person at which you\u2019re shooting an airsoft or Orbeez pellet pistol may perceive your actions as a deadly threat and respond as such.<\/p>\n
If you are a victim of a crime on campus, please call the UT Police Department at 865-974-3114.<\/p>\n
As a reminder, the university provides numerous resources<\/a> for the personal safety of our campus community members. Download the LiveSafe app<\/a> to access these campus services and resources.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The UT Police Department this weekend received two reports from students who had been shot at with airsoft or Orbeez […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[13],"class_list":["post-6859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-police","tag-public-safety"],"yoast_head":"\n