![12 men arrested while filming TikTok video in Surrey](https://dpdajlq3ew794.cloudfront.net/20191023143229/shutterstock_107853224-1.jpg?format=auto&width=1920)
A group of men filming a TikTok video “prompted a large emergency response” to Mud Bay Park in Surrey, police said on Wednesday.
According to Surrey RCMP, officers were deployed “in an urgent response” to the report of a man with a firearm in the park at 1431 Colebrook Road, just before 7 pm, on July 21.
“Witnesses who called police, reported seeing a man with a gun put another male in a head lock and bring him into the bushes,” police said.
When officers arrived “they located and arrested a group of 12 young men between the ages of 25 and 30 years old,” said Surrey RCMP. “The group informed the officers they were filming a TikTok video and had two pistol-style airsoft guns in the bushes.”
During their response, police searched the area and found two airsoft pistols, one baseball bat, one camera, and a chair with a rope.
The 12 men were released from police custody and were each issued a Bylaw ticket for Section 33 of the Parks Regulation Bylaw 1998 No. 13480, which prohibits the carrying of an airgun within a park without the prior written permission of the general manager. The associated penalty for that violation is $200.
“Police have a duty to respond to all weapons calls as legitimate public safety concerns,” said Surrey RCMp 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, she added, “are best left at home, or better yet, for the safety and wellbeing of our community, please don’t buy one.”