Teens facing charges after Poland fireworks hoax gun incident

POLAND, Ohio (WKBN) — Charges have been filed against two teens arrested Saturday night during Poland’s fireworks display.

Both teens, who will remain unnamed due to their age, are charged with inducing panic and unlawful possession of a hoax weapon of mass destruction.

The charges come after concerned attendees of Celebrate Poland’s fireworks approached police stating two juvenile boys brought firearms into the school playground area.

One witness told police she was sitting outside with her friend when they overheard one of the teen boys on the phone say he had “planned on shooting someone tonight.”

Witnesses pointed the suspects out to police, who retrieved two simulated firearms. Reports state they were Orbeez guns, with one appearing more like an AR-style weapon with a red-dot laser sight.

In a social media post, the Poland Township Police Department commended “the quick response and excellence police work performed by the Poland Village Police Department at Celebrate Poland last night.”

Abigail Cloutier contributed to this report.

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