SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — Police responded to a report of armed juveniles in a Springfield park, uncovering a large group and spray-painted gel guns. Four boys were subsequently charged with ordinance violations or criminal offenses.
The incident unfolded on Friday evening at Comer Cox Park’s playground. Pat Murphy, Chief of the Springfield Park District Police Department, explained to WCIA that they were alerted to the presence of guns among a large group of boys.
Upon arrival, Murphy observed approximately 40 boys, aged between nine and 15. As the boys dispersed at the sight of police, four were apprehended. Officers then determined that the reported firearms were actually non-lethal gel guns.