Boy, 12, with 'Air Soft Rifle' causes scare at State House

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) – Mass. State Police say no one in or around the State House in Boston was in any danger Sunday after a suspicious mini-van, seen parked near the building's loading dock, was found and its occupants identified.

State police issued a "BOLO" for a blue 2001 Chrysler mini-van with Mass. registration 13618 at about 11:40 a.m. Sunday and then canceled it a little over two hours later.

Dept. of Conservation Rangers at the State House reported the suspicious mini-van to authorities because the passenger was seen on surveillance video holding what appeared to be a rifle. It also appeared the passenger was looking through a scope or something similar attached to the alleged rifle.

Authorities located the mini-van and its two occupants and determined the item the 12-year-old passenger was holding was his newly purchased "Air Soft Rifle." An "Air Soft Rifle" looks like a bb gun, but fires plastic pellets. In most instances, Air Soft rifles closely resemble actual firearms.

No shots were ever fired, authorities said.

An investigation is ongoing. The driver of the mini-van and the passenger are being spoken to by state police.

Cox Media Group