Mum speaks out as son, 13, 'traumatised' after arrest by armed police over 'toy gun' at McDonald's
April 16, 2026
"It's been absolutely traumatising for him. He woke up screaming"
A major police response, including armed officers and a helicopter, was scrambled to a McDonald's in Denton on Tuesday evening following reports of a suspected firearm, which resulted in the arrest of a 13-year-old boy who was found with a toy cap gun. The boy's mother has since spoken out about the incident, stating her son is "traumatised" after being surrounded by officers with guns and arrested. Greater Manchester Police confirmed they responded to reports of a suspected gun at the Crown Point retail park at around 5 p.m. but that the item in question was a toy. The force has said no further action will be taken against the teenager.
The boy’s mother, who wished to remain anonymous, said her son had just finished mixed martial arts training and bought the "cheap snap gun that makes a noise" from a shop before heading to McDonald's for a McFlurry. She explained that he and his friends were "playing" with it and did not intend to cause any fear, suggesting they did not understand it could be perceived as anything other than a toy. Eyewitnesses reported seeing youths with a toy cap gun, with some claiming it was being "fired" inside the restaurant, which caused alarm among some patrons. One witness on social media noted that "everyone jumped, it was very loud," and that her daughter was frightened.
According to the mother's account, when the police arrived, her son became scared, put the toy down, and attempted to run before being pushed to the ground and arrested by armed officers. She described the experience as "absolutely traumatising for him," adding that he "woke up screaming" following the ordeal. Videos shared on social media showed a significant police presence at the scene, with multiple vehicles and armed officers visible. The mother questioned the scale of the response, stating she felt it should have been "obvious it was just a small silver plastic toy."
The incident highlights the staunch approach law enforcement takes toward any report involving firearms, real or otherwise. Standard procedure for police across the UK is to treat any call involving a potential firearm as genuine until it can be definitively proven to be a fake or a toy, as it is often difficult to distinguish between them from a distance. Carrying an imitation firearm in a public place without a reasonable excuse is an offence, and doing so can lead to a significant police response.
This event opens up a broader conversation about the appearance of toys and the potential for them to be mistaken for real weapons, leading to serious consequences. While the police have closed the case without further action, the boy's family is left to deal with the emotional aftermath of the frightening encounter. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential for misunderstanding when imitation weapons are displayed in public, and the significant emergency response such an action can trigger.
Source: manchestereveningnews