ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — At least three people, including two teens, face charges after firing gel pellet guns at crowds of people in downtown St. Petersburg, Chief Anthony Holloway said Tuesday at a news conference.
It happened over the weekend near the St. Pete Pier and Beach Drive Northeast. More than 200 teens were gathered downtown and several of them were armed with pellet guns, the chief said. The downtown area was already crowded due to several Pride-related events.
The teens reportedly started firing, hitting two police officers and a couple eating outside a restaurant all in different locations. One teen also allegedly shot St. Pete Police Mounted Patrol horse, Storm, several times in the eye and neck. Storm is being treated for the eye injury and is expected to be OK.
No one else was seriously hurt, police said.
Gervaris Small, 22, reportedly drove a carload of teens up and down Beach Drive NE while a 14-year-old boy fired gel pellets through the sunroof at a crowd of other teens. The 14-year-old was charged with battery on a law enforcement officer and Small was charged with principal to battery on a law enforcement officer because he was driving the car. Holloway said another 14-year-old was also charged.
However, Holloway said he believes more teens were involved because about seven pellet guns and boxes of gel pellets were found in the area. They had been dropped as soon as police showed up, Holloway explained.
"These may be toys, but I consider them dangerous when they are used irresponsibly," Holloway said. "There is no place for them to be used in crowded public areas."
He also said that what the teens did wasn't a game. "Game off," he said as a warning to others who may want to try something similar. He added that parents would be responsible for paying for any damages to property or injuries.
Holloway said he plans to have additional officers and resources will be made available during weekend events, specifically in the evening.