VALLEY CITY, N.D. (AP) — Valley City Police Chief Fred Thompson won't face criminal charges or discipline for pulling a gun on a man who was wielding a pellet gun while playing with children.

The state Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Barnes County state's attorney and the city attorney for Valley City concluded there was no criminal conduct or other violations on the part of Thompson.

The incident occurred Oct. 3 when Thompson while on patrol spotted a man behind a tree, pointing what appeared to be an assault rifle at children. It turned out to be an Airsoft gun, which shoots plastic pellets and is more of a toy than a weapon.

Thompson said he was using his training and experience to neutralize an unknown threat.

 

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