Three freshmen ECU Football Players have been charged with discharging a firearm within the city limits after police detained them this afternoon.   This was the same incident that led to a lock down of Wahl-Coates Elementary School on 5th Street.

At approximately 1:30 pm Greenville police officers conducted a known-risk stop at the intersection of 5th Street and Brownlea Drive.  Witnesses described seeing the three males inside the vehicle firing weapons toward the ground as they were driving along 3rd street.  Neighbors quickly alerted police and GPD officers stopped the vehicle within minutes. Three people were immediately taken into custody.

GPD Spokesperson Kristin Hunter confirms that Yiannis Bowden, 18, Curtis Burston III, 19, and Markel Winters, 19, were all cited for discharging a weapon within city limits and released from police custody. Upon further investigation, officers discovered the three weapons in their possession were BB guns. Although the individuals did not appear to aim at anyone, the attached photo demonstrates just how easy it would be for a citizen or law enforcement officer to mistake the BB guns for a real weapon.

The incident prompted a lockdown at Wahl-Coates Elementary School for approximately 10 minutes this afternoon.  There is no connection between the school and the vehicle stop. The lockdown was simply a precautionary measure. There is no threat to the public at this time.