In SKOKIE, Illinois, local authorities have determined that a teenager’s use of a “gel blaster” toy gun at a park in the northern suburbs earlier this month constitutes a hate crime, according to a statement released by police on Friday.
The Skokie Police Department reported that officers were dispatched to Shawnee Park at approximately 6 p.m. on October 7 following a disturbance involving two groups of adolescents, mainly aged between 13 and 15 years.
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Upon arrival, one group informed the officers that the other group had directed antisemitic remarks at them and pursued them. During this confrontation, a member of the opposing group allegedly fired gel pellets from a toy gun, one of which struck a teenager in the leg as the altercation continued onto a nearby street.
Police interviewed both the teenagers involved and several adults who witnessed the events unfold.
The incident, classified as a hate crime by the Skokie Police Department, led to the identification of the teen suspected of firing the gel blaster.
While the investigation has concluded, authorities indicated that they are unable to disclose any further details regarding actions taken concerning the teen accused of using the gel blaster.
Police also said reports of an adult responding to the scene with a real gun are not credible.
Further information was not immediately available.
