4-year-old boy honored at City Council meeting

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) – A 4-year-old boy was recognized by city council Tuesday after he alerted his grandmother when he found a gun on a local playground.

On July, 23, Aaron McIntyre was playing in the Portia Mills Hines Park when he found a loaded handgun underneath the stairs. The boy reported the find to his grandmother, who called 911 to report it to police.

Tuesday, Mayor Bill Saffo presented Aaron with the Outstanding Junior Citizen Award because of his “honorable choice” to turn in the gun.

Aaron received a goodie bag, stuffed animal and a $50 gift card.

Police officers said the gun, which had a bullet in the chamber when Aaron found it, had not been reported stolen.