The Tustin Police Department is actively investigating the incident as assault and battery. Allegedly, four teenage boys were involved in the prank in an attempt to gain clout on social media. They are believed to be local and to have walked or used public transportation. According to the press release:
The Tustin Police Department is aware of several social media posts regarding an assault that took place yesterday at Target in The District. TPD is actively investigating this case and we wanted to clarify several questions we have received. Here are several preliminary facts that have been reported to us:
On Sunday, March 26, 2023, at approximately 2:45 p.m., four male juveniles entered Target and began walking around. Several minutes later one of them picked up a bucket and placed it over the head of an adult female shopper. Several seconds later the juveniles are seen fleeing the store. As a result of the incident, the female shopper likely fainted and was transported to a local hospital in stable condition and a police report was taken.
It is likely the juveniles were attempting to replicate the current social media trend where they place a bucket on a stranger’s head and film their reaction. There is no current threat to the community.
Tustin Police Department detectives immediately began investigating this case and are asking anyone who may have more information about this incident to please contact Detective Schaller at (714) 573-3245 or [email protected].
This isn’t the first time a bucket challenge video has gone wrong for the person posting it. Back when the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge” was going viral, a man filmed himself doing it and was arrested by the cops, who wanted him for another incident. KOLD 13 reported on that at the time, saying:
A man wanted by police was arrested after he posted an “Ice Bucket Challenge” video to Facebook.
20-year old Jesean Morris posted the video last Friday. Someone who knew Morris was wanted for a parole violation saw the post and alerted police in Omaha, Nebraska. Police then showed up at the house that was shown in the video and saw Morris leave in a car. They pulled over the car. Morris initially lied about who he was and then spit on an officer, but was ultimately arrested.
The Smoking Gun says in addition to the parole warrant, Morris was charged with assaulting an officer with bodily fluid, criminal mischief, resisting arrest, and criminal impersonation.
