Suspect flashes BB gun on Neveln grounds

Published 10:17 am Thursday, July 31, 2014

A 19-year-old Austin man was arrested Wednesday night after he allegedly scared off two men on Neveln Elementary School grounds with a realistic-looking BB gun.

Austin Police Capt. Dave McKichan said the man was taken to Mower County jail pending further charges, which could include possessing a BB gun on school property.

Police were called to the area at about 5:30 p.m. Wednesday after witnesses said the suspect got into an argument with several other men in the grassy area between the tennis courts and playground at Neveln. Witnesses said the 19-year-old allegedly brought out a handgun and scared the men, who fled to a nearby car and drove off. McKichan said the argument allegedly concerned a gang dispute.

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Witnesses told police the suspect tried to put the gun away in his waistband, but couldn’t because his pants were too baggy. The 19-year-old then fled north through several yards past the 1900 block of Oakland Avenue East.

Police found the suspect at a nearby home at the 2000 block of Sixth Avenue Northeast and located a black BB gun under a dresser in a bedroom.