Rifle-Toting Man Causes Scare On San Vicente Boulevard

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA — A man caused a panic in West Hollywood Thursday afternoon when he was spotted on San Vicente Boulevard toting a rifle.

False reports of an active shooter at the intersection of San Vicente and Beverly Boulevard quickly spread on social media shortly after 1 p.m. Police arrived on the scene to find a man carrying a rife. However, the man was not a threat to the community, according to the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department.

"There was no active shooter," said Detective P. Sullivan of the West Hollywood station.

According to Sullivan, an older man sought to show his unloaded rifle to a friend.

"He didn't shoot anybody," said Sullivan. "There was no malicious intent."

Nevertheless, the man was arrested for carrying a rifle in public.

"It wasn't an active shooter, but you still can't walk around town with a rifle," added Sullivan.