A teenage boy has been arrested and charged with bias intimidation and assault after confronting a Jewish pedestrian near a shul in Teaneck, New Jersey, demanding to know whether he supports Israel or Palestine before firing a gel-pellet gun at him, police said.

The suspect, a 17-year-old Teaneck resident, was taken into custody Sunday night and is currently being held at the Bergen County Juvenile Detention Center while the case is being processed.

According to the Teaneck Police Department, the victim is a 19-year-old local resident who was visibly identifiable as a frum Jew. The incident took place around 6 p.m. Sunday on Ogden Avenue near Congregation Bnai Yeshurun. Police say the victim was walking along the street when a black sedan carrying three males pulled up beside him. One of the occupants reportedly asked whether he supported Israel or Palestine. The young man ignored the question and continued walking.

Moments later, someone inside the vehicle allegedly fired an Orbeez-style gel pellet gun at him before the car drove away.

Later that evening, while still in the same neighborhood, the victim noticed what appeared to be the same vehicle again. Someone inside the car motioned for him to approach. Instead, the victim began recording with his phone. As the vehicle drove eastbound on Ogden Avenue, a passenger leaned out of the window and fired the pellet gun again, striking the victim multiple times.

The victim told police he was hit roughly ten times but did not suffer injuries.

Responding officers later found numerous orange gel pellets scattered on the ground near the shul. Authorities noted that similar pellet guns, often marketed as toys, have recently been involved in several disturbances across New Jersey.

Investigators were able to identify the suspect vehicle using automated license plate reader cameras in the area. Police later stopped the sedan and arrested the teenage driver. Officers found a gel pellet gun, a container filled with pellets, and a water gun inside the car.

The teen now faces several charges, including second- and fourth-degree bias intimidation, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, conspiracy, and simple assault, authorities said.