Man with Rifle on I-15: CHP

CHP officers arrested a man who walked on a San Diego-area highway carrying what appeared to be a rifle Friday.

There were multiple reports from drivers describing the man sitting or standing along southbound Interstate 15 near Aero Drive.

Once officers arrived around 10:30 a.m., the man threw down the rifle which was later determined to be a BB gun.

A San Diego police spokesperson who was one of the units to respond to the incident said the witnesses did the right thing.

“They saw it and they did the right thing – call us,” Sgt. Jim Reschke with San Diego Traffic Division.

Investigators are looking into the background of the suspect. They have not identified him but say he is a known transient who has a camp nearby.

“A lot of the guys in this area did know him and it turned out to be a BB gun rifle, not a real rifle,” Reschke said

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“The guy was cooperative once we got into his face and told him to put down the rifle,” Reschke said.

One lane of traffic was closed for a short time because of a number of police cars.

The suspect never pointed the rifle at anyone and there were no reports of shots fired officers said.

The man was carrying a rifle that looked more menacing than it turned out to be