16-Year-Old Shot 25 Times by Older Teen After Dispute over Orbeez Being Shot at Kid: Cops

A 19-year-old Illinois man is now facing a first-degree murder charge in the brutal shooting death of a 16-year-old boy near a playground. The incident occurred in May 2023 when Jaquan Blalock, then 17, allegedly gunned down Antoine Shropshire in broad daylight. Prosecutors say Blalock fired 25 rounds at the teen using a handgun equipped with a switch and extended magazine — a device that converts a semi-automatic into a fully automatic weapon. The shooting happened near a park filled with adults and children, making the act especially alarming for the community. Prosecutors believe the violence was sparked by a conflict involving Orbeez toy guns — toy weapons that shoot gel pellets and often resemble real firearms.

Dispute Over Toy Guns Allegedly Led to Killing

According to court documents obtained by The Herald-News, a neighborhood child had complained to Blalock that older teens were stealing Orbeez guns and using them against younger kids. The documents say this complaint may have led Blalock to confront the teens responsible. “Older boys were taking their Orbeez guns from them and shooting them with their Orbeez guns,” prosecutors wrote in a court petition dated April 14. The situation escalated quickly, ending in a violent shooting near the park. Blalock, along with another unidentified individual, allegedly ambushed Shropshire. Surveillance footage reviewed by authorities reportedly shows Blalock standing over the wounded teen and continuing to fire his weapon, unloading his magazine into the boy’s body as he lay on the ground.

Violence Caught on Surveillance and Aftermath

The second suspect involved in the incident allegedly began firing at others nearby, adding to the chaos and danger in the park area. No additional injuries were reported, but the brazen nature of the attack — in a public space with children present, shocked the community and law enforcement alike. Following his arrest, Blalock was taken to the River Valley Juvenile Detention Center in Joliet. While in custody, he reportedly assaulted another detainee. Prosecutors say that during questioning, Blalock showed little remorse, allegedly commenting that the killing was “mob [expletive]” and “bound to happen.”

Legal Proceedings and Pretrial Motions

Blalock’s defense attorneys have since filed a motion requesting pretrial release. They have not commented publicly on the details of the case or the alleged confession. The court has not yet decided whether Blalock will be released before trial. A Will County judge is scheduled to rule on the motion on April 22. If convicted, Blalock could face decades behind bars for the killing of Shropshire, a teen whose life ended far too soon in a dispute that began over toy guns. The case continues to raise serious concerns about youth violence, access to modified firearms, and the tragic consequences of seemingly minor disputes escalating into deadly encounters.