12 men arrested while filming TikTok video in Surrey

A group of 12 men filming a TikTok video were arrested Tuesday after witnesses reported seeing a man with a gun among the group, saySurrey RCMP.

Police said in a statement Wednesday they initiated an urgent response shortly before 7 p.m. to a report of a man with a firearm in the park at 1431 ColebrookRd.

According to witnesses, a man with a gun had put another man in a headlock and brought him into the bushes.

Upon arriving at the scene, police saythey arrested 12 young men between 25 and 30 years of agewho explained that they were filming a video for TikTok, a Chinese-owned video-sharing app popular among teens.

"Police searched the area and found two airsoft pistols, a baseball bat, acameraand a chair with a rope," according to a Surrey RCMP statement.

The 12 men were released and each issued a ticket for violating the bylaw that prohibits carrying an airgun in a park.

"Police have a duty to respond to all weapons calls as legitimate public safety concerns," said Cp.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 well-being of our community, please don't buy one."