A group of youths sparked a large police response after "innocently" playing with a gun inside a car in a South Dunedin car park the day after an Auckland police officer was killed by an air gun.
Senior Sergeant Phil McDouall, of South Dunedin, said a member of the public rang the police when they noticed the youths, aged between 16 and 18, playing with a gun in the car park about noon yesterday.
However, when police stopped the vehicle a few minutes later, the youths had an explanation.
"One of them had gone into a nearby bank to change a PIN on his card and the others had got bored waiting in the car so were playing with the gun.
"They didn't have a clue what they were doing was wrong. They were just naive young boys," Snr Sgt McDouall said.
A gas-powered air pistol found in the vehicle was legally held as its owner was aged 18, Snr Sgt McDouall said.
"The incident seemed sinister to start off with, but turned out not to be."
Three of the youths were sent home with a warning, he said.
The fourth, aged 16, was detained by police and referred to the youth aid section after a small quantity of cannabis was found in his pocket.
