‘Suspicious Person’ with Gun in Marion Actually Just Child at Play

MARION — Chief John Garcia reports that after receiving multiple reports of a suspicious person walking in a playground at the Sippican Elementary School Friday morning, the person was determined by police to be a 12-year-old boy carrying a toy gun.

At approximately 11:05 a.m. Friday, Marion Police received a call reporting that a male party, wearing a trench coat and fur hat, was carrying what appeared to be a rifle at the playground of the Sippican School, located at 16 Spring Street. Parents and children were present at the playground at the time.

It should be noted that Marion Public Schools are currently on April vacation break this week.

When officers arrived, the individual was no longer at the playground. Officers searched the area, with the assistance of members of the Marion Harbormaster's Office, but were unable to locate a person matching the description given.

While officers were searching the area, a woman walked into the Marion Police station to report the incident and gave police images she took on her cell phone of the individual holding what looked like a firearm.

Through the subsequent investigation, officers were able to quickly identify the person as a 12-year-old boy. Officers went to the boy's house where they located him and confirmed that the gun was a toy that did not have an orange tip.

Detective Scott Smith spoke with the juvenile’s mother and advised her of the reports the department had received.

Through the investigation, it was determined that there was no threat to public safety, and no crime had been committed.

"I want to commend all of the people who called police to report this suspicious activity," Chief Garcia said. "Our department takes all reports seriously and I am glad that we were able to quickly determine that there was no threat. It pays to be careful, especially in this day and age."

--Marion Police