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CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) No criminal violations were found against Valley City Police Chief Fred Thompson stemming from in an October 3 incident in Valley City.

Thompson drew his firearm and aimed it at a man who was pointing an Airsoft rifle at children in Valley City.

The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Barnes County State’s Attorney and the City Attorney found no criminal conduct or violation of rules. 

In the report Thompson saw a man behind a tree pointing what appeared to be an assault weapon at some children. He drew his service weapon and ordered the man to drop the weapon, which he did. It was later determine that the weapon was an Airsoft rifle which resembled an assault rifle.

Airsoft rifles and pistols have orange tips to indicate they are toys. The only
noticeable difference between real weapons and the airsoft weapons is the orange tip. There have been several incidents across the United States  which resulted in police wounding or killing individuals possessing airsoft weapons because either the police did not see the orange tips, the tips were painted black, or orange tips had been placed on real firearms. Because these ambiguities occur, a law enforcement officer must assume the worst to ensure a safe resolution to any situation. 

The results of the BCI investigation show that Chief Thompson used his training and experience to neutralize an unknown threat, making sure everyone was safe.