Authorities are investigating what at first appeared to be a possible attempted robbery, but was later determined to be an error in judgment involving a handgun. Shortly after 5:30 a.m. Friday, a clerk reported the incident at the Stop and Go convenience store in Buchanan County on US Highway 59 near the bridge into Atchison.

Based on the first report, deputies with the Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area. The clerk says a man placed a handgun on the counter, and when another customer came in, she told him she was “very glad to see him.”

Upon further investigation, deputies learned that the man didn’t steal anything, and didn’t make any demands. He simply pulled a handgun out of his pocket as he searched for money to pay for his purchase.

He was described as an older white male, perhaps in his 60s, driving a dark blue pickup truck with a baby blue stripe. He was last seen driving across the bridge into Kansas. Authorities are comparing notes with law enforcement agencies in Atchison.

Colonel Bill Puett says they are still trying to determine if there was any violation of the law.

“It didn’t appear the gun was involved, except that it was placed on the counter as he fished for money in his pocket,” Col. Puett said. “It was probably inappropriate to pull the gun out while looking for money.”

There were no injuries and, so far there have been no arrests.