GAZETTE-TIMES REPORTER

A 12-year-old boy was taken into custody Wednesday for threatening another juvenile with a handgun at the Osborn Aquatic Center, police said.

Corvallis Police spokesman Lt. Dave Henslee gave the following account of the incident:

At 9:15 p.m. Monday, police received a report of suspicious activity involving a handgun at the Osborn Aquatic Center. A rumor had filtered down to the parent of a child who'd heard that a boy had taken a handgun to the center and showed it to other kids.

The center was closed when police received the report that night, so on Tuesday morning, they began interviewing witnesses and pool employees. Those interviews led them to a suspect Wednesday morning.

Police said the boy obtained a .22-caliber handgun and ammunition from a gun safe at his parent's residence, took the gun to the aquatic center and showed it to other kids. He later pointed the weapon at another boy several times and threatened his safety if he told anyone of the incident. Reports Wednesday did not indicate whether the gun was loaded at the time.

Police found the suspect at his Corvallis home and arrested him on suspicion of unlawful use of a weapon, possession of a firearm in a public building, menacing and unlawful possession of a firearm. The first two charges are Class A felonies and the later two are Class A misdemeanors.

"The Corvallis Police encourages kids to report incidents to us or an adult if you see something suspicious or dangerous," Henslee said.

Corvallis Police Detective Mike Wells continues to investigate this incident. Anyone with information can call Wells at 766-6924.

The Corvallis Gazette-Times has withheld the name of the boy because of his age. Publication of the names of juveniles accused of criminal activity is made on a case-by-case basis. Factors influencing that decision include the severity of the allegations, the child's age and information from police.

Michael Booth can be contacted at michael.booth@lee.net or 758-9548.