A group of young men filming a video for social media prompted a large emergency response to Mud Bay Park in South Surrey.
Shortly before 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Surrey RCMP officers were deployed in an urgent response to a report of a man with a firearm in the park at 1431 Colebrook Road.
Witnesses who called police reported seeing a man with a gun put another male in a head lock and bring him into the bushes.
When officers arrived, they found and arrested a group of 12 young men between the ages of 25 and 30.
The group informed the officers they were filming a TikTok video and had two pistol-style airsoft guns in the bushes.
Police searched the area and found two airsoft pistols, one baseball bat, one camera, and a chair with a rope.
The 12 males were released from police custody and were each issued a $200 bylaw ticket, which prohibits the carrying of an airgun within a park, without prior written permission.
“Police have a duty to respond to all weapons calls as legitimate public safety concerns,” said Cpl. Elenore Sturko.
“This group of young men put themselves and others at risk as a result of their poor decision making.
“Airsoft pistols and other replica firearms are best left at home, or better yet, for the safety and wellbeing of our community, please don’t buy one.”
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