Police slam ‘silly’ machete-wielding live-streaming rappers after pulling guns on them following social media alert

Police have pulled their guns on a group of masked and armed people on a Gold Coast shopping centre roof – only to discover they were making a rap music video. But it didn’t stop one of the group being charged.

File picture: The rappers were armed with two machetes as they live-streamed a video on a shopping centre rooftop.

Police have pulled their guns on a group of masked and armed people on a Gold Coast shopping centre roof – only to discover they were making a rap music video.

Officers from the police Digital Intelligence and Community Engagement (DICE) unit were monitoring social media about 9.45pm on Saturday when they came across a livestream showing the group on the roof of the Robina Town Centre.

Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon, of Gold Coast police, said the group of about 13 were wearing masks and brandishing two machetes.

Chief Superintendent Craig Hanlon. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Police rushed to the scene and were confronted by the group, Supt Hanlon told media on Monday.

“Because of the information that they had knives, we drew our firearms,” he said.

“Thankfully they all complied with our direction.”

Supt Hanlon said a 24-year-old Robina man in possession of the machetes told police they were live-streaming a rap music video with the hope of getting a recording deal.

The Digital Intelligence and Community Engagement Team monitors social media.

“Luckily no-one was injured,” he said.

“I don’t think they’re the smartest people on the Coast. It’s silly, it’s dangerous and they should think themselves lucky that our police showed considerable restraint considering the information we’d been provided.”

Supt Hanlon said the 24-year-old had been charged with weapons possession.

Originally published as Police slam ‘silly’ machete-wielding live-streaming rappers after pulling guns on them following social media alert