The Florissant police chief is warning parents after a rise in crimes involving gel blasters.
FLORISSANT, Mo. — Police have launched an emergency investigation after another shocking incident involving a minor using a gel blaster toy gun.
Last week, 5 On Your Side reported on a teenage boy who fired gel bullets into a crowded Creve Coeur movie theater, and now Florissant police are pursuing a minor who targeted a real estate agent with the same type of weapon. That's when things escalated quickly.
Now police are warning people: Talk to your kids about using toy guns in public places, because you never know what they might do if they think they're in danger.
Photos taken by a real estate photographer show a cracked windshield and bullet holes in his car. Too shaken to speak publicly, he told 5 On Your Side he was at work when the gunman showed up, first firing at him with a toy gun, then switching to a real one.
Florissant police arrived to Hummingbird Drive last Wednesday to investigate.
“Our society forces us to have a high level of awareness when it comes to safety,” said Carlos Turner, a real estate agent with Platinum Realty.
He said many of his colleagues have now begun to arm themselves while on duty.
“In our work we naturally visit different areas and the homes we visit may or may not be vacant. You never know what you're going to come across,” he said.
Turner said that even when showing a client a property for the first time, he makes it a point to meet them in a public place beforehand to get a feel for the property.
“I make sure to arrive early for my appointment, turn on the lights, open all the blinds, and know where the exits to the building are. If I'm going alone, I contact another companion or spouse to let them know where I'm going and how long I need to be there, and contact them again after the appointment to let them know it's safe,” he said.
“The Florissant Police Department urges all communities to remain vigilant as we have recently observed an increase in minors using gel blasters in public places,” Police Chief Tim Fagan said in a statement. “We are committed to ensuring public safety and ask parents to educate their children about the potential risks and legal consequences of irresponsible use of these devices.”
“Parents need to get a little more involved and start setting boundaries,” Turner agreed.
Fortunately, one person sustained only physical injuries.
If you have any information that can help the Florissant Police Department with their investigation, please call the police department at 314-831-7000.