BOISE, Idaho — A report of gunshots in a Boise neighborhood raised alarms and sparked "shelter in place" orders at two schools Thursday.
But police say the search for a potential gunman turned up several teens who had been using a BB gun to shoot at squirrels instead.
Several people called 911 just before noon to report gunshots near 23rd and Heron streets. Boise Police responded to the area, and spotted the car that witnesses had described as the suspect vehicle.
Officers conducted "a high-risk traffic stop" on the vehicle, and detained five juvenile suspects.
Police say they learned the teens had been shooting at squirrels with BB guns. Two BB guns were found inside the car.
The investigation is ongoing, according to police, and the culprits could face misdemeanor charges.
Two nearby schools were put in shelter in place mode while officers responded to the shots fired call, but that restriction was lifted after about 20 minutes.
The Boise School District said in an email to parents that the teens involved were Boise High School students on their lunch break.
It's unclear whether any squirrels were harmed in the incident.
