Beloit police prevent a potential tragedy after responding to a 9-year-old with autism pointing what appeared to be a handgun.

The child’s family called 9-1-1 after the child chased them out of a house on the 2700 block of Shopiere Road and pointed the gun at them.

Beloit Director of Strategic Communications Sarah Millard said the family was able to get back inside the house and lock the child out before calling authorities just after 4:00 p.m. Tuesday.

They later determined the firearm was fake, but the child pointed the revolver directly at officers and asked them to shoot.

Police used ballistic shields and “less-lethal force” to apprehend the child without any “significant injuries,” but the child was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.