Terrifying moment man gets out ‘sniper rifle’ on Elizabeth Line Tube platform wearing full camo gear – as experts say ‘it’s a surefire way to get yourself shot’

This is the terrifying moment a man appears to get out a sniper rifle on an Elizabeth Line Tube platform while wearing full camo gear. 

In horrifying footage he builds the huge gun and aims its barrel into carriages of the Elizabeth Line train at Whitechapel station.

Commuters can be seen getting out of his way and glancing him nervous looks as they queue on the east London platform, while he holds what appears to be a weapon at the ready in full combat fatigues.

British Transport Police later confirmed that the man, in his 20s, had dressed up with an imitation gun and was on his way to a film and comic convention.

But experts have hit out and warned that the idiotic behaviour is a ‘surefire way to get yourself shot’.

The force arrested the man at his home and on suspicion of one count of possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence and one count of possession of an offensive weapon. He has since been released on bail.

Ian Drummond Smith, the Assistant Chief Constable for Network Policing for British Transport Police, said he ‘agreed’ with a post that said: ‘This is a surefire way to get yourself arrested and potentially shot.’

The specialist firearms commander continued: ‘High-jinx gone wrong here. Not an actual firearm. Male arrested at his home for imitation firearms offences. Items seized and he’s currently on bail.’

The force said that they respond to every call about a weapon, and urged anyone travelling to dress-up events to keep them concealed.

He is thought to have been attending the Comic Con event MegaCon Live at the London ExCeL on January 25 and travelled with a gun as part of his costume. 

The British Transport Police’s Armed Policing Chief Inspector Martin Grayton said: ‘Every year around Comic Con, we receive reports from people who have been alarmed by weapons being carried on the train. 

‘We assess and respond to every call we receive about a weapon. A police response can cause disruption and alarm to passengers and, if it’s a prop, may mean that you’ve kept us away from more important incidents.

‘For your sake and that of everyone else on your train, no matter how unrealistic you think they look, please keep your prop weapons out of sight while travelling.’

Reacting to the video on social media, commenters were left shocked as they watched the scene develop.

One said: ‘Why is everyone so chill? Because if I’d seen that I wouldn’t know if it was real or not… I’d be out of there!’

A second added: ‘The problem is he isn’t at comic-con, he’s at an underground station. He’s also readying up as the train rolls into platform. 

‘For those passengers in the train a dude coming onto the train with his gun up is a terrible vibe.’

And a third commented: ‘What an idiot. Mindless selfish and stupid.’