Man accused of waving toy rifle used for video games on UMD’s campus

University of Maryland sign on April 17, 2024. (Adam Vance/7News)

COLLEGE PARK, Md. (7News) —A man was taken into custody after police said he drove around the University of Maryland (UMD) waving a weapon that appeared to be a rifle, but was actually a toy used for video games.

The university’s police department said it received a call from Prince George’s County public safety officials at around 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday about a person wearing a facemask, driving a white Dodge van on the College Park campus, and waving what appeared to be a weapon.

Officers stopped the vehicle near Union Drive and Alumni Drive and detained the driver. Officers found a weapon, which they found to be a white gaming rifle that is used to play video games.

Security camera videos from campus showed the suspect’s van entered the campus from the North Gate and drove west on Campus Drive, past Edward St. John, where police said the driver held the gaming rifle out the window.

Officials said it sent no UMD text alerts after determining there was no immediate threat to campus.

Police said charges are pending. Anyone with information is asked to contact the University of Maryland Police Department at 301-504-3333.

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