Child with toy gun sparks suspicious person reports

Apr 19, 2019

MARION — Multiple Marion citizens contacted the police about a suspicious person near Sippican School carrying what appeared to be a gun on April 19, but after investigation, the person was identified as a 12-year-old boy with a toy gun and was judged not to be a threat. 

At 11:05 a.m. police received a call about someone in a trench coat and fur hat who was carrying a gun near the school playground. School was not in session, but parents and children were using the playground. 

Police officers and the Harbormaster’s office searched the area, but were unable to locate anyone that matched the description. When a second woman came to the police with cell phone images of the suspicious person, officers were able to identify the boy, and went to his house to investigate. 

There, officers confirmed that the gun was a toy. Detective Scott Smith spoke with the boy’s mother and told her the police had been notified. 

“I want to commend all of the people who called the police to report suspicious activity,” said Chief John Garcia, “Our department takes all reports seriously, and I am glad that we were able to quickly determine that there was no threat.”