Teen's BB Gun Leads To 'Close Call' With Boston Police

BOSTON (CBS) -- Boston police are urging parents to talk their children about the dangers of carrying fake guns after a "close call" on Tuesday.

A 911 caller reported a person with a gun at 7 p.m. in South Boston's Sweeney Playground, where officers observed four young men standing together.

Police said one of the men appeared to pull a black handgun from his waistband, "paused for a moment and then dropped it on the ground" as officers approached.

After confiscating the gun, police figured out that it was a BB gun designed to resemble a Berretta PX4 Storm .40 caliber handgun.

The young men were released from custody, but police said they spoke to them about the danger of carrying a real-looking gun.

"When we talk about the dangers created when a kid picks up a replica firearm, these are the incidents we're talking about," Boston Police Commissioner William Evans said in a statement. "Thankfully, my officers showed tremendous restraint and - because of that - we were able to turn what could have been a tragedy into a teaching moment."

In:
• Boston Police
• South Boston
• Boston