Editor’s note: Recently, Police1 posted an article about the growing concern of toy guns that resemble real weapons, and the problems that may occur if officers mistake the toys for a deadly weapon. Black plastic airsoft guns are so realistic that children and young adults who use them for fun could put themselves in danger if they encounter a police officer. Read Dave Smith’s article But what if it really isn’t a gun? for more information.
By Jason Kotowski
Bakersfield Californian
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — It’s dark outside and you see a man drawing a weapon.
Is it real?
That was the decision Bakersfield police Sgt. Scott Thatcher had to make Sunday night.
That gun actually fires BBs, not bullets.
Thatcher opened fire when a man reached for the replica gun in his waistband after ignoring his commands to stop.
The man died from his injuries. He has been positively identified but the coroner’s office is not releasing his name yet because they have been unable to find his family.
The entire incident was over in less than a minute, Sgt. Greg Terry said. Officers will probably never know exactly why the man reached for the gun, Terry said.