An 18-year-old Roanoke Rapids man faces charges after he and two juveniles pointed BB guns made to look like real weapons at a victim Monday night in the area of the Fifth Street boat landing.

The juveniles will also be petitioned, Roanoke Rapids police Chief Shane Guyant said. 

The driver was identified as Anthony Stearnes of Roanoke Rapids. He was arrested and charged with going armed to the terror of the public, assault by pointing a gun, and two counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.  

The juveniles, who were released to their parents, will be petitioned for assault by pointing a gun and going armed to the terror of the public.

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Officers were told the three were pointing the guns with lasers and flashlights at the victim as they sat in an Acura. The caller attempted to leave and was followed east onto Fifth Street.

PACE Officer J. Conrad responded around 8 p.m. to the 911 call.

Conrad, Roanoke Rapids Master Officer C. Majette, and Halifax County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant C. Watkins intercepted the suspect vehicle.  

The suspects were still following the victim when law enforcement stopped the vehicle.  

The occupants were removed from the vehicle and upon a probable cause search, four guns were found in the vehicle. 

Upon further investigation, the guns were found to be BB guns and are replicas of the actual firearm they were copied after.  

“These BB guns look very real,” Guyant said. “It would be very easy to confuse these BB guns as the real thing. It is scary how exactly similar they are to a real gun. It is by sheer grace that the officers involved in arresting these three did not have to use deadly force.”

Said the police chief: “The actions by these three individuals were incredibly careless, immature, and dumb.” 

Stearnes received a $2,500 secured bond and February 16 district court date.