WILLIMANTIC, Conn. -- Three teens carried a fake rifle on Wednesday that was mistaken for the real deal.

Willimantic police called the incident a mistake that could have cost the teens their lives.

The gun turned out to be a toy, but police said it looked very realistic. Officers said the orange barrel that normally indicates a gun is fake had been painted over and the toy even had a laser guide for aiming.

The first responding officer said the boy holding the gun dropped it right away but that the call could have gone very differently.

"Worst case scenario, had they pointed it, a police officer could have shot them," Willimantic police Sgt. Jack Reed said.

Police said the boys -- ages 14, 15 and 18 -- have not been charged and the toy gun has been confiscated.

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