HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — These days, everyone is getting in on the latest viral craze: the mannequin challenge. From Taylor Swift, to the Alabama Crimson Tide, social media users all over the world have posted videos of themselves in still poses, as Rae Sremmurd’s “Black Beatles” plays in the background. But the latest group of Alabamians to go viral probably wish they had never gotten in front of a camera at all.
In Huntsville, a group of 22 heavily armed men posted a mannequin challenge video on Facebook, wherein they struck various poses brandishing their weapons. The camera pans throughout a front-yard, with the men reenacting a shootout. 85,000 people shared the video, which reached countless viewers – including some in law enforcement. As it turns out, the firearms were illegally possessed, and the video led to a warrant search that revealed more weapons and illegal drugs.
Whoops.
According to a report from The Washington Post, Police confiscated two handguns, one assault rifle and a single-barrel shotgun, a tactical vest and many rounds of ammunition and multiple magazines. Officers also discovered several bags of marijuana packaged for resale.
The Madison County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant on Tuesday morning and made two arrests: Terry Martez Brown and Kenneth Fennell White.
Brown, 23, was charged with drug paraphernalia possession, loitering and promoting prison contraband. White, 49, was charged with first-degree marijuana possession and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Madison County Sheriff’s Office says that the video could lead to more arrests. “There are several persons in the video who may be convicted felons,” Capt. Mike Salomonsky said. “So, we’re going to try to do some identification, work with the ATF and see if we can generate any charges out of that.”
