Police responded to a report of a man seen with what appeared to be a handgun in the Grand Beach area on Aug. 9.

Armed officers responded and found a man with family and children nearby.

“Officers quickly determined the handgun in his waistband was in fact an iPhone case shaped to look like a real handgun,” said RCMP.

“This incident required a level of response based on the assumption that the weapon was real, posing serious safety risks for everyone involved,” said RCMP, adding the beach was crowded with people at the time.

“Unfortunately some people do not realize the risks associated with openly carrying or displaying these replicas in a public space,” said Sgt. Bert Paquet. “Anyone who owns this type or similar devices should safely dispose of them immediately.”

Police said the 34-year-old man with the case turned it over to police for disposal and he was not charged.