Armed police arrested a man after this shocking image was taken at a children's playground in Leicester.
Several parents were told by youngsters that a man with a gun had been in the Morton playground, off Hastings Road in Northfields, but they dismissed their children's stories.
The next morning, when one mum-of-three was sent this picture – apparently taken at the park at about 6pm the previous day – she called police.
Armed officers later arrested a 57-year-old man in Brighton Road, Northfields, in connection with the incident.
Police said imitation firearms were recovered by officers nearby.
The 26-year-old mum, who lives within sight of the playground but did not want to be named, said: "I was sent the photograph on my mobile phone early on Tuesday morning and could not believe my eyes.
"I felt so shocked and worried but also guilty, because my eight-year-old daughter had been at the playground the evening before and came in to tell me there had been a man with a gun.
"She said he had even given it to an eight-year-old boy to hold. I am ashamed to say I didn't really pay any attention to her, but after I saw the photo I called the police.
"They came round and I showed them the photograph."
The mum said that later that day she saw armed officers descend on the area. She said: "It was about 5pm and I looked over to see armed police everywhere. There were cars and vans and lots of officers with guns.
"They arrested a man on a street not far from the playground. They also searched his house."
The mum said police took a statement from her and chatted to her daughter.
"They asked her to draw the gun but she couldn't. She did draw the big shiny gold bullets in a magazine, though," she said.
"When I saw her drawing I was shocked. No eight-year-old girl should be exposed to this. It's awful."
Another mum, who lives opposite the playground, said: "My son told me he had seen a man with a big gun with bullets in, but I thought he was making it up. Then I saw the photograph.
"All the parents around here are scared. None of us want to let our children out.
"The police arrested a man but then let him out. We don't really know what is going on."
Merrydale Infants School, in Claydon Road, Northfields, sent a letter to parents on Wednesday telling them about what had happened.
A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "Police received a call at 9.10am on Tuesday from a member of the public who reported that a man had been seen in the area of Longleat Close in Leicester the previous day carrying what was believed to be a firearm.
"Following police inquiries, armed response officers stopped a man in the area of Brighton Road, who was arrested in connection with the incident.
"A number of imitation firearms were recovered by officers nearby.
"A 57-year-old man has been released on police bail pending further inquiries."