Police Say Reports Of Gunfire Near School Bus Stop Turned To Be Something Much Less Sinister

NEWBURGH, NY — Reports of gunfire near a school bus stop were unfounded, the City of Newburgh Police Department said.

Police said they determined that an incident initially reported as gunfire on Monday afternoon, instead involved a toy cap gun. Investigators said they found no evidence that a firearm had been discharged.

Subscribe

At around 2:45 p.m., officers responded to the area of Dickson Street and Walsh Avenue following a 911 call reporting shots fired. Officers thoroughly checked the area and found no evidence of firearm discharge, but further investigation by the Detective Division determined that a juvenile had discharged a bright-orange plastic toy cap gun into the air.

"The department is issuing this clarification in response to news reports that have raised concerns about a shooting near a school bus stop," the City of Newburgh Police Department said in a statement. "The department recognizes the concern these reports can cause for families and community members."

The City of Newburgh Police Department said it encourages anyone who believes they hear gunfire to call City of Newburgh Police at 845-561-3131 so officers can investigate promptly.