A student threatened an Austin Public Schools instructor with a replica handgun Thursday.

Friday, December 17, 1999

A student threatened an Austin Public Schools instructor with a replica handgun Thursday.

The youth faces assault charges, according to an Austin Police Department report.

The incident occurred Thursday morning, when four students arrived at the Bank School along East Oakland Ave. on a school bus.

Because of the severe cold, they were admitted to the school by a 33-year-old male instructor.

During a routine pocket search of the four students, one of the students pulled a silver western-style revolver from a pocket. He pointed it in the face of the instructor and then raised the revolver into the air and discharged it three or four times, while laughing.

"The instructor thought the weapon was real and that his life was in danger," said Austin Police Chief Paul M. Philipp.

An eyewitness to the scene confirmed the instructor’s opinion and told police investigators the discharge of the cap gun produced "popping noises that sounded real to him."

Asked by a reporter if the cap gun could be mistaken for a real weapon, Philipp said, "In an incident like this, yes."

The replica handgun was discovered to discharge rolled caps much like all similar weapons although at the time it was discharged by the teenager no paper caps were visible.

The male youth, 16 of Austin, refused comment after the incident and was taken into custody only to be released to his probation officer later Thursday.

The report was turned over to the Mower County Attorney and possible assault charges.