LAKE STEVENS, Wash. — Lake Stevens police said a man with an Airsoft gun caused a large police response that blocked busy streets and locked down an elementary school on Tuesday.
Police received reports at 11 a.m. that there was a man waving a gun and pointing it at traffic at a busy intersection at 91st Avenue and Market Place.
A police document said the weapon was described as being shorter than a long-barrel rifle and longer than a pistol.
Police shut down the intersection and approaching streets to traffic and locked down Hillcrest Elementary school that is about four blocks away.
As officers approached on foot, bystanders indicated the man’s location.
Officers approached the area with guns drawn and saw a man sitting on an elevated sewer cover at First Street Southeast and 91st Avenue.
Police papers said the man was sitting on an elevated sewer cover and was manipulating what appeared to be a short-barrel automatic-style-type gun.
Lake Stevens police said when the man saw the officers he tucked the gun under a backpack that was on his lap.
Officers ordered the man to the ground at gunpoint. Police said the man was moving slowly and did not immediately comply and appeared to be confused or trying to find a way to escape, police documents said.
After several more commands, the man lay on the sidewalk and was handcuffed.
The police report said the gun was realistic-looking and did not have the orange muzzle tip used on toy guns.
The man told officers he was playing Airsoft with four or five other people and was doing nothing wrong, but could not identify the other players.
Officers found a hypodermic needle and a folding pocket knife with white residue on it that was suspected to be drug paraphernalia in the man’s belongings.
Several witnesses said the man pointed the gun at them as they drove by or walked on the street and said threatening remarks.
The man said he was just working on his Airsoft gun and listening to music.
He was booked into the Snohomish County Jail on an outstanding forgery warrant and investigation of malicious harassment, unlawful display of a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct.
KIRO
