Sequim police donned flak jackets and took up tactical weapons to sweep the Elk Creek apartment complex Wednesday night, Jan. 13, searching for a man with a rifle.

The purported firearm turned out to be a soft air weapon in the hands of a juvenile male.

The several Sequim officers, however, only knew that a group of seven young men, one carrying a rifle, had been reported in the sprawling complex at 90 S. Rhodefer Road.

One of them said, “It’s loaded,” according to the reporting party.

Several Sequim officers approached the apartments from different points — on the way clearing a basketball court of players — before they found the seven teenagers.

Meanwhile, a Washington State Patrol trooper established “containment” on nearby U.S. Highway 101 in case suspects tried to flee in that direction. Clallam County Sheriff’s deputies also backed up the Sequim officers.

The soft air rifle was identical in appearance to an assault weapon, officers said. They advised the owner in the future to carry it in a case.

They made no arrests and filed no charges.