Teens Taking Target Practice Accidentally Cause Panic

A call to police about a man with a rifle bag near the Corte Madera Library scrambled local law enforcement to the scene and caused some panic among passers-by on Tuesday afternoon.

In the end, it turned out to be just two teens playing what they thought was a harmless game.

Twin Cities Police received a call around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday about a caucasian male adult wearing camouflage and carrying a rifle bag while walking along Casa Buena Drive. Twin Cities Police, California Highway Patrol and Marin County Sheriffs units responded to the scene, searching for the suspect.

They were surprised to find not one, but two suspects. Two Corte Madera juveniles, both 14, had been playing on the hillside with air rifles, according to Twin Cities Police. The air rifles were not properly marked and apparently looked more threatening. The teens didn't realize they had an audience while they were playing with their guns. There was no report that they were targeting buildings, cars, or other people.

The teens were cited and released to their parents. The air rifles were confiscated.