MARION – Marion Police have released the names of the suspects involved in Wednesday’s incident where students were struck by plastic pellets at Marion Junior High School.

They are 18-year-old Eaden S. Stewart of Johnston City, 23-year-old Ryan J. Nance of Carterville and 18-year-old Travis J. Rule of Energy. They have been charged with 38 counts of Aggravated Battery and were taken to the Williamson County Jail.

Marion Police responded to the south side of Marion Junior High at 10:35 a.m. in reference to a report of several students being struck with projectiles from an Orbeez or Air Soft type weapon from a passing vehicle. The suspect vehicle was a black Chrysler passenger four door and fled the scene on West Cherry Street.

While officers were investigating the scene and searching for the suspect vehicle, Marion Police received a call that a person on West Boulevard Street had just been struck by an “Orbeez Pellet” from a passing black passenger vehicle.

A short time following the West Boulevard shooting, a Marion Police officer located a black Chrysler parked at the fuel pumps at the Casey’s General Store on South Court Street. Officers approached the vehicle and observed several “Orbeez Pellets” lying on the seats and floorboards. Stewart, Nance and Rule were in the vehicle. They were taken into custody and transported to the police department for questioning.

Marion Police say this case has been turned over to their Investigative Unit.

It has been reported to Marion Police that these incidents were part of a “Tik Tok Challenge.” The Marion Police Department does not condone this type of activity and it will not be tolerated.