Police taser man pointing toy gun, www.abc.net.au, 03/02/10

Police fired a Taser at a man after he walked along one of Darwin's busiest streets allegedly pointing a toy pistol at people. Superintendent Bob Harrison says officers donned protective gear on Mitchell Street yesterday afternoon amid fears the toy might be a real weapon.

"We had a report of a male with a pistol walking down Mitchell Street, pointing the pistol at people," Superintendent Harrison said.
"After speaking with witnesses, we established the weapon was most likely a toy gun.
"But as a precaution our officers donned their ballistic vests."

They found the man in a nearby block of flats.

"A male answered the door pointing the toy pistol at police," he said.
Police fired a Taser at the 29-year-old man, who is expected to go before court later this month.
"Obviously we have to treat it as serious as though it is a real gun, so it was a really stupid thing to do," Superintendent Harrison said.
"Obviously people were quite concerned and afraid that someone was pointing this gun at them."