Edmonton police are issuing a warning after a fake gun incident at West Edmonton Mall, Monday evening.
EPS says they responded to a weapons complaint around 8:20 p.m. at WEM. Reports indicated that a teen was waving a gun and pointing it at another individual within the mall.
Mall security followed the teen before police arrived and took the 15-year-old into custody, at which point they learned that the gun was a toy.
“This was a potentially very dangerous situation,” said in a social media post. “The message is simple: Police can’t tell if a gun is real or fake.”
Edmonton police’s warning says that imitation guns are often made to look extremely realistic, and at first glance, and even up close, they can be indistinguishable from real firearms.
EPS says imitation guns can include airsoft, BB, or pellet guns, replica or prop guns, paintball guns, and toy or novelty guns.
“Because of the risk to public and officer safety, police treat all firearm complaints as real. Officers will respond quickly, using appropriate resources, tactics, and levels of force. These encounters can become deadly, even when the gun is not real,” said EPS. Before saying, “If it looks like a gun, it will be treated like a gun.”
The warning continued by saying, “Never play with imitation guns in public places like malls, parks, or schools. Only use air gun imitations at designated play areas, gun ranges, or on private land outside city limits. Never point an imitation gun at another person, even as a joke. Set clear rules for children so they understand the risks. If approached by police while carrying an imitation gun, put it down immediately and follow instructions.”
