The State - News from Dec. 7, 1987

Because a man with a toy gun threatened a television anchorman on the air, Fresno Mayor Dale Doig plans to propose an ordinance banning the sale of realistic-looking toy guns. Police said David Dione Pretzer, 21, of Clovis got onto the news set at KJEO-TV during the 5 p.m. newscast Friday, brandished a toy gun and instructed sportscaster Marc Cotta to read a religious message. Cotta began to comply, but police summoned by others at the station rushed in and captured Pretzer. Over the weekend, Doig said that eliminating sales of realistic-looking toy guns would be “a minimal starting point.” Meanwhile, police revealed that Pretzer also was arrested early the morning of July 20 for investigation of running onto a Fresno Air Terminal runway and trying to hitch a ride on a private plane.