Teen scares UIHC patrons with pellet gun

IOWA CITY - A teen carrying what was identified as a pellet gun gave some hospital patrons a scare Thursday morning.

University of Iowa spokesman Tom Moore said several calls were made to police at 11:17 a.m. for a report of a man wielding a rifle on the top level of a parking ramp at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.

UI police responded to the top level of the ramp at 11:22 a.m. and instructed a male matching the description to go to the ground. The subject, who is 14 years old, attempted to hide the weapon, Moore said.

The young man's mother arrived at the scene soon after police spoke with her and the young man, After investigation, it was discovered the weapon was a replica rifle. Police said the young man and his mother were visiting a family member who is a patient at the hospital. The replica rifle was placed in the trunk of the vehicle the two arrived in for the remainder of their hospital visit.

Moore said no charges were filed from the incident.