Pellet gun mistaken for the real thing in Penticton grocery store parking lot

Penticton RCMP took a man into custody last week after he was seen with what looked like a handgun in the Penticton Superstore parking lot. It turned out to be a pellet gun.

Officers responded to reports of a man handling a handgun while in the passenger seat of a vehicle at the Superstore parking lot at around 12:35 p.m., Nov. 12, according to an RCMP media releases. Witnesses told police it appeared the man was loading bullets into the magazine.

Police spoke to the man, who initially complied with officers, but once out of the vehicle the man refused to cooperate and ignored police commands, turning away from officers and reaching into his pockets.

Police used a taser on the suspect and took him into custody. A search of the vehicle revealed a pellet gun which could have easily been mistaken for a firearm.

"Pellet guns or replica firearms have become almost identical in appearance to the real thing. It is very difficult for the public or an officer to tell the difference,” Penticton RCMP Sgt. Jason Bayda said in the release. “This is why it is so important to remain cognizant of where you are handling them. Handling them in view of public in a busy area is going to garner a quick police response that often requires police to have to make split second decisions."

Police were later able to determine the pellet gun had been purchased to manage a rodent problem at the man’s residence.


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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