A heavy response from Delta police on Sunday, to a report of a person pointing a firearm in a North Delta neighbourhood, turned out to be a false alarm.
According to Delta police, an officer doing proactive patrols around 5 p.m. on March 28 was approached by a citizen who said they had recently seen a person pointing a gun at a vehicle in the driveway of a private residence in the area of Nicholson and 72nd Ave.
“Police responded immediately and began an investigation,” said DPD spokesperson Cris Leykauf in an email to the Optimist. “However, the vehicle associated to the complaint was soon seen to begin reversing out of the driveway, so police decided to stop the vehicle. Because of the potential risk, there was a significant police response.”
Leykauf said fortunately, police were able to quickly determine that a youth had been playing with a toy or replica gun in the yard, and that this was likely what the complainant had seen. The toy gun was black with an orange hand grip, and could have readily been mistaken for a real gun.
“Police have followed up with the residents at the property today (Monday), and have offered support resources,” said Leykauf. “The matter involved no risk to public safety, and there was no intent to use the toy gun to commit any offences.”
