The chilling moment 'a masked gunman' sparks fears of school shooting

This picture shows the terrifying moment a masked "gunman" was seen roaming the streets which prompted fears of a "mass school shooting". Footage shown at Mold Crown Court showed Ryan Brick walking towards a primary school, wearing a balaclava and carrying two imitation firearms.

During the disturbing incident in October 2022, Brick was seen walking his dog along York Road, with the footage caught on the dashcam of a passer by.

The court heard how the 30-year-old was heading towards a local primary school at the time, leading to numerous calls to the police from worried members of the public who feared a potential mass shooting at the school. North Wales Police responded by cordoning off streets in the area and deploying armed officers. Brick was subsequently arrested.

In a strange twist revealed during a sentencing hearing at Mold Crown Court on Tuesday, it was disclosed that Brick had worn the mask and carried the imitation guns to deter people from approaching his dog, who had previously attacked another dog.

Myles Wilson, representing Brick, described it as an "odd case". He stated that Brick held no grudge against anyone and didn't threaten anyone, but "for some reason has tried to make himself look as intimidating as possible", reports North Wales Live.

"Why he did that is a mystery", he added, stating: "It is almost the sort of thing a child would do." He noted that it was even more alarming given that Brick is an adult.

Judge Niclas Parry, in his summing up, described how Brick had sown "havoc and real fear" in the public who were alarmed to see a man with a balaclava, carrying two guns, heading towards a primary school. "It is indicative of the world we live in that members of the public could even imagine that there could be a mass killing of children at a school - but that's the world we live in. Police resources were wasted, armed police were called and roads cordoned off."

However, Judge Parry noted, "But the reality is this was a more pathetic scenario. You were ready to threaten anybody who didn't like your dog - and that's what it boils down to."

Brick pleaded guilty to possession of ammunition without a firearm certificate, possessing an imitation firearm with intent to instil fear of violence, and having an imitation firearm in public.

Citing mitigating factors such as Brick’s recent isolated lifestyle impacted by drug issues and family bereavements, yet noting his efforts to overcome his addictions, Judge Parry handed down a six-month sentence, suspended for 18 months, complete with rehabilitation and drug treatment requirements.

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