It turns out the Goshen man in his 20s, whom police didn’t identify, is on leave from the Army Rangers and was training for his physical fitness test. The “rifle” was made of rubber...
Before starting his cross-town jog, the man called Goshen Town Police and told them what he would be doing, Jakubczyk said. But once he crossed into Blooming Grove, the calls started coming in and police had no answers for frightened residents.
Notice how the fact that he at no time ever threatened anyone even factored into the reactions. I'd say the Pavlovian hysteria conditioning is working...
[Via Declan]