Rochester MN A 23-year-old Rochester man has been arrested for allegedly bringing two handguns into the Apache Mall in Rochester.
Police say one of the guns was loaded, but they also say it does "not" appear as if anyone was in any "real" danger.
The incident happened just before 11:30 in the morning on Sunday. Police say the suspect showed the two guns to a friend who also works at the mall, claming he had borrowed the guns from his roommate and need a ride to a rural area to practice his shooting.
"He was seeking a ride to a rural area where he could do some target practicing. Evidently this alarmed the individual that he had showed the weapons to..." said Captain Brian Winters.
Mall officials had no comment today, but police say the friend promptly informed mall security. Once security was informed of what was going on, a security guard approached the man, calmly separated him from the duffel bag containing the guns and then called police.
It's also important to note here that police say there does not appear to be any ill intent in this situation.
"We have no indication that there was ever any criminal intent to use the weapons, nor do we have any information that the public or anyone out at the mall was ever in danger by his actions," said Winters.
Still, with this coming so closely on the heels of the shootings in Tucson, Arizona, for some this incident could be viewed with a little more concern than perhaps just a month ago.
"All the things that are happening in schools lately. Oh yeah. It's everywhere," said Gemma and Nick Volds. "You just don't bring guns anywhere. I don't know. I think it's just weird."
"Everyone is kind of on high alert with that kind of thing," said Jeraka Brue. "You would think bringing guns, especially a loaded one, into a public place wouldn't be a good idea."
"I'm really glad that people are aware of what's going on and are being proactive or active when things like that happen," said Pam Geerdes.
Police say the suspect, who is a convicted felon and is prohibiting from having guns, will be charged with illegal possession of firearms.
Due to the Martin Luther King holiday and the fact the courts are closed, the suspect has yet to be officially charged.
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