A Harmless Game Turns Deadly (Image Credits: Unsplash)
Tacoma, Washington – A group of teenagers engaged in a water balloon prank faced life-threatening violence when a passing driver pursued them relentlessly. The incident unfolded on February 28, 2026, in the 3200 block of South Tyler Street, escalating from a splash of water to a gunshot wound.[1][2] Prosecutors described the retaliation as deliberate, leaving one teen seriously injured and prompting swift police action.
A Harmless Game Turns Deadly
Four teenage boys drove through Tacoma streets, tossing water balloons at vehicles in what they viewed as playful mischief. One balloon struck a silver sedan driven by 31-year-old Majeed Guerry, with water entering through an open window and soaking him. What followed shocked investigators and highlighted the perils of seemingly minor provocations.[3]
Guerry accelerated after the teens’ car, following them to a dead-end gravel lot near the city dump. He blocked their exit, stepped out armed with a handgun, and approached the passenger side. The sudden confrontation trapped the boys, transforming their evening fun into a nightmare of threats and violence.[1]
Escalation to Gunfire and Robbery
Once cornered, Guerry demanded money from the terrified occupants, pointing the gun at each of them while issuing death threats. One teen handed over approximately $100 in cash to de-escalate the situation. Still enraged, Guerry struck the front-seat passenger – the one who threw the balloon – in the face with the pistol.[1]…