Two Accused Of Shooting Airsoft Gun At Teens

An 18-year-old and 16-year-old are in custody after allegedly shooting an airsoft gun at two younger teens Friday morning in Blair Township.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence on North Ironwood shortly after 6:30am to investigate the assault complaint. A 12-year-old and 13-year-old reported they had been walking to the bus stop when a pickup truck pulled up next to them. Two occupants in the truck told the children "to get into the back of the vehicle if they wanted to have a good time," according to the Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office. While the truck occupants were talking to the teens, the passenger - a 16-year-old whom the victims knew - brandished an airsoft gun and shot it in the direction of the children.

The teens returned home and reported what had occurred. Grand Traverse Sheriff's Office deputies were able to locate the truck a short distance away on Blair Town Hall and M37 and arrested the driver, an 18-year-old male from Traverse City, for assault. Deputies also tracked down the passenger, who had been dropped off at a nearby residence. Deputies turned the passenger over to Grand Traverse County Juvenile Probation on requested assault charges.

The children were not injured in the encounter. Deputies, who recovered a revolver airsoft gun during their investigation, were able to determine there were no further threats posed to students following the arrests.