Police say three males allegedly told a movie theatre full of people in Whitby that someone had a gun in an effort to film the reaction for social media.
The incident occurred at around 11:20 p.m. on March 17 at Landmark Cinemas on Consumers Drive.
“Customers were forced to leave a movie theatre after several males yelled that someone was in possession of a firearm,” police said in a news release issued Tuesday.
“Officers arrived on scene and were directed toward three males who had left the theatre.”
Police said they later learned that the males staged the disturbance.
“Further investigation revealed that the males were creating social media content and had intentionally created a false disturbance to generate a reaction they could film,” the news release read.
Three Ajax residents, including two 23-year-old men and a 17-year-old, were subsequently charged.
They face charges including causing a disturbance and mischief.
Police are asking anyone with dash camera or surveillance footage to contact Const. McGregor of Central West Division at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2060.