A man is accused of threatening three friends with what turned out to be a toy gun Tuesday in the elevator of a downtown apartment building.

The three friends told police they had just entered the elevator in the apartment building at 580 S. 500 West when the 52-year-old man walked in and pulled a small, black handgun, according to charges filed Monday in 3rd District Court.

The man said it was a real gun and threatened one of the friends, charges state.

When confronted by police, the man said he wrapped the toy gun with black tape so it would look real when he had to use it, charges state.

The Salt Lake man faces one charge of aggravated assault, a third-degree felony.