Authorities reported that two residents of Egg Harbor Township were taken into custody on Tuesday after attendees of a National Night Out event saw them pointing firearms at individuals.
After the police department’s annual National Night Out celebration concluded with a fireworks display, the incident—which later turned out to contain fake guns—took place at Veteran’s Memorial Park.
Every August, National Night Out is a celebration that fosters ties between the police and the community.
Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult at the event, according to Egg Harbor Township police prior to the event. This happened after groups of rowdy young people got into altercations at the previous year’s National Night Out event.
Two witnesses flagged down a police officer on Tuesday night after reporting that someone in a gray Ford Mustang was pointing a gun at a crowd of people.
After navigating through heavy traffic on their way out of the event, members of the police department’s Motorcycle Unit pulled over the vehicle near the Swift-Slaybaugh Complex.
According to police, they discovered another weapon on the passenger side floor and what looked to be a little black revolver close to the driver’s door.
Upon closer examination, it was discovered that one alleged weapon was a BB gun or airsoft, and the other was a lighter in the shape of a handgun with a laser attachment.
According to police, the driver, Benjamin Andrews, 21, and Maya McKinley, 18, both of Egg Harbor Township, were taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault, unauthorized possession of weapons, and possession of imitation firearms.
Additionally, Andrews was summoned for having an open alcohol container. They were both charged and let free.
According to a statement from Police Capt. Cherie Burgan, it was clear that both fake guns could be confused for actual weapons. Carrying a handgun-shaped lighter or an imitation pistol may seem harmless, but doing so can have negative effects.
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