Film student brandishes fake gun during shoot, gets arrested

MALIBU, Calif. - Authorities say a 20-year-old film student in California was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of removing a safety tip from an imitation firearm during a movie shoot, reports CBS Los Angeles.

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 in Malibu.

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, reports the station. 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.