Reports of people pointing handguns at passing drivers in the Bay Roberts area had RCMP scrambling to the potential “high-risk” situation Thursday night.
Turns out, however, the suspects were actually two teenagers with toy guns.
Multiple RCMP officers rushed to the Water Street area of Bay Roberts around 9:30 Thursday night after receiving the initial complaint from a concerned motorist, due to the high-risk nature of the report.
A driver stated two people were aiming at vehicles with what appeared to be handguns as they walked along the side of the road in the early darkness.
Police tracked down the pair and — fortunately — were able to quickly determine they were teens with toy guns rather than suspects posing an imminent threat.
They were brought home to their parents, who were briefed on the potential for a tragic outcome which was averted.
Last year the RCMP seized a number of 3-D printed firearms in Harbour Grace, which also resembled toy guns.
They’re urging parents to talk with their kids about the dangers of using toy guns “in a manner that would cause a concern to public safety.”]