Akron Police Detectives have confirmed that a water gun was being used by one or more occupants in the vehicle of Ethan Liming, the 17 year-old boy who died in a fight outside the I Promise School in Akron, in their preliminary hearings.
According to a press release from Akron P.D., investigators know that teens were riding around the surrounding area Thursday, June 2 shooting a “SPLATRBALL” Water Bead Blaster striking objects and possibly unsuspecting people.
“A short time later, the group of teens pulled into the property at 400 W. Market Street and drove in the direction of the basketball court”, says the press release. “The teens then appeared to have targeted or approached the subjects who were on the court and fired the gel soft gun at them. The collective actions of the teens in the car appear to have unfortunately provoked the altercation.”
The water gun and other pieces of evidence have been recovered from the scene.
The press release goes on to say that “While these actions appear to have played a role in the incident, investigators do not believe the attack or the murder were remotely justified.”
This investigation is ongoing.