Man with BB Gun Causes Scare at Murrieta Walmart

The gun that a man on Tuesday reportedly entered Walmart in Murrieta with turned out to be a BB gun, police said.

Six Murrieta officers were dispatched at 5:14 p.m. Tuesday to after receiving reports of a man sitting in his car with a handgun, police said in a news release.

"Two minutes later as officers were enroute the caller reported the man had just entered Walmart with the gun in his hand," said Murrieta police Sgt. Jay Froboese. "One minute later the man exited the store and re-entered his vehicle still in possession of the gun."

As officers arrived, the man drove out of the Walmart parking lot and onto southbound Interstate 15, the sergeant said.

Officers split up: some to Walmart to see if a crime had occurred in the store, and others in pursuit of the man who was then on the freeway, according to Froboese.

Two men in the car were detained when Murrieta police assisted by Riverside County sheriff's deputies caught up with them as they exited onto Rancho California Road, Froboese said.

"Officers located a BB gun replica Berretta 92F handgun in the driver's side door of the car. The actual BB gun pictured below is an exact replica in both size, features, and finish to an actual Beretta handgun," Froboese said.

Police learned the man had just purchased the BB gun atand was showing it off to his friend at Walmart, Froboese said.

The men were "strongly admonished regarding the realism of the gun and the possible deadly consequences that could occur by openly carrying something like this in public," Froboese said.

No charges were filed and both men were released, he said.

The scare caused Murrieta police to issue a safety warning about carrying BB guns:

"The  often receives calls from citizens alarmed that they have observed someone with a handgun in their neighborhood. Many times these calls have juveniles involved. As can be seen from the photo it is virtually impossible for a police officer to quickly determine the authenticity of the weapon. Unlike some toy guns that shoot plastic Airsoft type projectiles, BB guns are not toys and do not have a red tip on the barrel. This makes it nearly impossible for a police officer to distinguish the weapon as BB gun or real firearm. Parents are highly encouraged to closely supervise their children if they buy them this type of BB gun, and discuss with them the serious and deadly consequences that could occur if these weapons are carelessly displayed or used in public."