Shooting threats reported in Sparta

Police: Disturbance started over comments on Facebook

SPARTA, WI — Sparta police gave an 18-year-old man a couple municipal citations after they responded to an incident where several people were reported yelling and threatening to shoot someone.

Alexander Devine, 18, of Sparta, was issued citations for carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct.

Sparta police said the disturbance started over some comments made on Facebook. Devine told police he thought there would be a confrontation, so he brought a facsimile handgun and hid it in his waistband. Devine planned to show other people the gun to scare them off, the police report states.

The other individuals involved in the incident were between 14-to-18-years-old. They were warned about their behavior, police said.