Saint John police say a 21-year-old man is facing charges after a weapons call in King’s Square on Wednesday night.
Police said they found a man waving what appeared to be a handgun when they responded to the park just after 8:30 p.m.
“Officers ordered the man to drop the weapon numerous times when finally, he complied,” police said in a news release.
After officers arrested the man, police said they determined that the weapon was actually a pellet gun which “strongly resembled” the sidearm that officers carry.
“Saint John Police Force reminds the public that replica weapons are easily mistaken as real, and it is sometimes impossible to distinguish them from a real gun. If a citizen calls about a gun, officers will treat the firearm as real until it is determined not to be,” said the release.
“These types of incidents are not only dangerous to the community but can result in charges being laid as well.”
The suspect is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday to face weapons-related charges.