A man has been arrested following a viral video that showed a person wielding a look-alike assault rifle on the Elizabeth Line train in London.
The footage, which was widely shared online on January 28, captured a man in military fatigues assembling what appeared to be a large gun. The man is seen raising the weapon to his shoulder and crouching as the train approaches the station, while other passengers appear largely unconcerned. The video quickly gained attention and raised concerns among viewers.
The incident was confirmed by police to have occurred on Saturday, January 25, at Whitechapel station, with the individual attending a Comic Con event in costume, according to the British Transport Police (BTP).
A man in his 20s from south London has been arrested in connection with the event. He faces two charges: possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence and possession of an offensive weapon. He remains in police custody as investigations continue.
In a statement, a British Transport Police spokesperson provided an update: “A man in his 20s from south London has been arrested on suspicion of one count of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence and one count of possession of an offensive weapon. He remains in custody.”
The spokesperson further clarified that the man had been attending the event as part of a costume, and the weapon was later confirmed to be an imitation firearm. “He was spoken to earlier this week by police,” the spokesperson added.
Despite the nature of the video, the BTP emphasized that the incident, while unsettling, did not result in any immediate threat to public safety. Authorities are now urging anyone who witnessed the incident or has additional information to come forward.
If you witnessed this incident at Whitechapel underground station on Saturday 25 January or have any further details, please contact officers on 61016, quoting reference 433 of 30 January,” the spokesperson said.
The arrest and subsequent investigation into this incident highlight ongoing efforts by authorities to maintain safety and public confidence on the transport network, particularly in the wake of public concern triggered by such incidents. The BTP continues to look into the matter, ensuring that any potential risks are thoroughly investigated.
Passengers on the Elizabeth Line and other London Underground services have been urged to report any suspicious behavior immediately to maintain safety across the network.
