SAN MARINO >> Police are investigating after a 12-year-old boy bought a stun gun at an Arcadia store, then used it to shock another child at school in San Marino last weekend, officials said.
Police learned of the situation Saturday evening, when a parent reported that a 12-year-old boy had shocked another child with a stun gun about 2:30 p.m. Saturday near the lunch tables near the basketball courts at Henry E. Huntington Middle School in San Marino, San Marino police Sgt. Tim Tebbetts said in a statement.
“Officers contacted the parents of all the involved juveniles,” Tebbetts said. “Officers learned the juvenile who possessed the stun gun used it on another juvenile in a joking manner with no threatening intent.”
Meanwhile, the father of the boy who had the stun gun called police in Arcadia the following day to report his son had been sold the self-defense device, which are illegal for juveniles to possess, at a business in Arcadia.
The stun gun was purchased at As Seen On TV Products in the Westfield Santa Anita shopping mall, authorities said.
“Police met with the store owner, who admitted selling stun gun, which was disguised as a cell phone, to the child,” according to Tebbetts. “However, she stated she did not realize it was illegal to sell the stun gun to a minor.”
The investigation was ongoing, the sergeant said. “Appropriate charges, if any, against the juvenile and store owner will be determined after the case is reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office.”
Stun guns are legal for adults to possess in California, but prohibited for juveniles.