BREMERTON — Bremerton police officers responded to the south end of the Warren Avenue Bridge just before 7 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 6, on a report from passing motorists of a male pointing a handgun at another person and “making them walk” down the street. Officers located five young men, all between 14 and 16 years old, and one of the boys dropped the handgun described by the callers as the officers approached.

The 15-year-old male who had the handgun told officers “they were not to search him without a warrant or probable cause.” He was taken into custody, despite his objections, and told officers it was a CO2 pellet pistol, and he was pointing it at the heads of the other juveniles, “dry firing” by pulling the trigger, and they wanted to see how many passing motorists would call 911.

The juvenile had an outstanding arrest warrant for obstructing a police officer, and also had marijuana in his pocket. He was transported to the Kitsap County Youth Services Center.

Bremerton Police Chief Steve Strachan commended officers for their safe handling of this incident.

“After the Tamir Rice incident in Cleveland and too many other tragedies across our country, we need to point out that officers have to make split-second decisions every day and this kind of behavior is extremely risky,” Strachan stated.

The Bremerton Police Department encourages parents to make sure their kids understand the danger of handling or possessing any firearm, including pellet pistols and other non-lethal firearms that look like real handguns.

Any charges or follow up regarding the juvenile will be determined by the Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office.

— Edited by Michelle Beahm