Film Student Nabbed After Allegedly Brandishing Phony Gun During Shoot
MALIBU (CBSLA.com) — Authorities say a 20-year-old film student was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of allegedly removing a safety tip from an imitation firearm during a movie shoot.
The unidentified student from Valencia was arrested after a Malibu sheriff's deputy was told that a man was waving a handgun in Malibu, authorities said.
The incident unfolded about 10:30 a.m. Thursday near Point Dume Nature Preserve.
According to authorities, a search effort between multiple agencies ensued.
Soon after, the suspect and a group of six others were located on the beach. At the time, authorities said the suspect was pointing the gun at a woman's head and a person was filming close by.
"An examination of the realistic looking gun revealed it was a replica handgun with the orange plug tip removed," according to a statement issued by the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.
The statement said the student allegedly admitted to removing the orange plug to "make it look like a real gun."
Authorities also said they were told by the group of film students that they were shooting a movie for school but "no notice had been given to law enforcement, there was no film permit, there was no security, and no signs indicating it was a film project and for the public not to be concerned," the statement added.