Duo Who Brought Fake Guns To South Jersey National Night Out Charged: Police

EGG HARBOR TWP., NJ — Two people were charged at Egg Harbor Township's National Night Out after witnesses told police they saw someone brandishing a gun, though the gun turned out to be fake, authorities said.

After the fireworks show on Aug. 5 and vehicles were leaving Veteran's Memorial Park, an Egg Harbor Township police officer working traffic detail was flagged down by a passerby, according to a news release.

The witness told the officer that a person in a gray Ford Mustang was brandishing a firearm, police said. Another witness told police that said person was pointing the gun at a group of people before leaving.

A description of the car and registration was given to police.

Members of the EHT Motorcycle Unit were able to quickly navigate through the thick exiting traffic to find the Mustang, and a high-risk stop was performed in the area of the Swift-Slaybaugh Complex, police said.

Occupants were removed from the car and police found what appeared to be a small black handgun by the driver's side door, officials said. Additionally, another weapon was found on the passenger's side floor, police said.

However, one of the handguns was actually a handgun-shaped lighter with a laser attachment, according to police. The other was an airsoft-type handgun. Both imitation firearms could easily be mistaken for real weapons, police said.

The Mustang's driver, 21-year-old Benjamin Andrews, and 18-year-old Maya McKinley, both of Egg Harbor Township, were charged with possession of imitation firearms, unlawful possession of weapons and aggravated assault. Andrews also received a citation for having an open container. Both were released on a summons.

"While this incident was unfortunate, we are thankful that it was brought to our attention immediately by a member of our community," Egg Harbor Township police said. "That is exactly the type of trust and relationship that National Night Out was founded upon."

While the event has grown over the years, officers are dedicated to making safety the priority, police said.

"We want to take a moment remind the public that unruly behavior will not be tolerated in Egg Harbor Township; at National Night Out or elsewhere in town," police said. Some officers had to disperse teenagers who were dropped off at the event instead of interacting with the community as planned, police said.

"Please take the time to have a conversation with your teens and young adults if you have them in your family circle. Encourage them to make good choices," police said. "While it may seem harmless to some to carry an imitation firearm or a handgun shaped lighter, there can be consequences to making those choices. Fortunately, no one was injured as a result of the incident."