What to know
- Three people were charged after a social media prank at a Whitby movie theatre where they yelled “he has a gun,” causing panic among moviegoers.
- Police say the incident at Landmark Cinemas was a staged stunt for online content; all three face charges of causing a disturbance and mischief.
- The accused — two 23-year-olds and a 17-year-old — were released on an undertaking and are scheduled to appear in court; allegations have not been proven.
Is there a limit to how far a prank can go? A social media stunt has turned into criminal charges after a content creator yelled a threat inside of a movie theatre in Whitby.
The Canadian creator, known online as Fique, has built a following of 1.27 million YouTube subscribers and over 981,000 TikTok followers through prank videos targeting unsuspecting members of the public.
Last month, Fique and his friends struck again at Landmark Cinemas located at 75 Consumers Drive in Whitby – this time, with consequences.
According to a Durham Regional Police press release, several males shouted that someone inside the theatre was in possession of a firearm, sending moviegoers into a panic.
When officers arrived on scene, they were directed to three males who had already left the theatre.
A further investigation revealed the disturbance was a deliberate stunt, staged to provoke a reaction to be posted online.
The three people charged are:
- 23-year-old Fique Wamiq Ayub from Ajax, charged with: Cause Disturbance and Mischief.
- 23-year-old Jaiden Joseph-Anthony Mosquera from Ajax, charged with: Cause Disturbance and Mischief.
- A 17-year-old male from Ajax, charged with: Cause Disturbance and Mischief.
All three were released on an undertaking — meaning they were not held in custody, but must follow certain conditions and appear in court on a future date.
All allegations are yet to be proven in court.
Anyone with cellphone footage, dashcam video, surveillance recordings or information related to the incident is asked to contact Constable McGregor of the Central West Division at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2060, or submit information anonymously to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca.
