Shocking moment man ‘pulls ASSAULT RIFLE out at busy Tube station’ leaving passengers terrified
THIS is the shocking moment a man pulls out a look-alike assault rifle at a busy tube station.
The jaw-dropping clip shows a man in military fatigues assembling the gun at Whitechapel station in East London.
He then throws his rucksack over his shoulder and crouches as the Elizabeth Line train pulls into the platform.
The man, who is from South London and in his 20s, was arrested by cops 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 has been remanded in custody.
The British Transport Police (BTP) revealed that the individual was commuting to a Comic Con event and had been “spoken to” by officers.
“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,” a BTP spokesperson said.
“If you witnessed this incident at Whitechapel underground station on Saturday 25 January or any have any further details please contact officers on 61016 quoting reference 433 of 30 January.”
Inspector Martin Grayton appealed to Comic Con attendees to refrain from brandishing their prop weapons in public.
He said: “Every year around Comic Con, we receive reports from people who have been frightened to see weapons being carried on the train.
“We assess and respond to every call we receive about a weapon. A police response can cause disruption and alarm to passengers and, if it’s a prop, may mean that you’ve kept us away from more important incidents.
“For your sake and that of everyone else on your train, no matter how unrealistic you think they look, please keep your prop weapons out of sight while travelling.
“We rely on the travelling public’s vigilance and if you don’t feel comfortable or see something that doesn’t seem right, please report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 999 in an emergency.”
STORMTROOPER PANIC
It comes after a Star Wars fanatic caused a full-scale firearms red alert when he stepped on a train dressed as a Stormtrooper last year.
A panicked passenger called in cops when they spotted Dan Gillespie’s fake blaster, which he claims was holstered.
He was quizzed by a guard before the train ground to a halt and headed back to Aberdeen.
Dan revealed he was met by armed cops and was banned from travelling until he got a bag for the toy gun.
He claimed he’s been told never to get on a train in the £1,000 outfit again and is considering quitting cosplay for good after the scare.
Dan, 50, said: “Crazy world we live in.
“The train stopped not long out of the station. A guard came to chat asking about the blaster. Then asked me to go with him for chat.
“Apparently someone reported it to police. The train went back to Aberdeen. I was met by two firearms officers, three Police Scotland and two British Transport Police.”
Dan revealed he was grilled on the train and in the station before he was escorted home by officers.
He added: “I had to chat to them all on train and then in an office. Then they took me home to get bag for it and back for another train. I was asked not to wear Stormtrooper armour on train.”