A 19-year-old man and his friend have been arrested for allegedly assaulting random people for a "TikTok Prank" and recording the incidents. The suspects have been identified as Alford Lewis and Jaden Smith, both from Los Angeles, California.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the duo targeted several victims in different locations between February and March 2023. They would approach unsuspecting people and pretend to rob them, hit them, or throw objects at them, while filming their reactions for TikTok videos. In one incident, deputies said Lewis used a gun and physically assaulted a victim to rob him of his iPhone 14.
"It was a prank. I had no problem with the man," Lewis told reporters after his arrest. He claimed that he was trying to make people laugh and did not intend to harm anyone. He also said that he returned the stolen phone to the victim after the prank.
However, the authorities did not find his actions amusing. They said that Lewis and Smith violated several laws, including assault with a deadly weapon, robbery, battery, and conspiracy. They also said that the pranks could have resulted in serious injuries or even death.
"These are not pranks. These are crimes that could have serious consequences," Sheriff Alex Villanueva said in a statement. He added that the sheriff's department will not tolerate such behavior and will prosecute anyone who engages in such activities.
The sheriff's department also warned the public about the dangers of participating in or encouraging such pranks on social media platforms like TikTok. They said that such pranks could put the pranksters and the victims at risk of violence, retaliation, or legal action.
TikTok is a popular video-sharing app that allows users to create and share short videos with various effects, filters, and music. Some of the videos feature pranks, challenges, or stunts that can be entertaining or humorous, but also dangerous or illegal. According to TikTok's community guidelines, users are not allowed to post content that promotes or glorifies violence, crime, or harm to oneself or others.
The sheriff's department urged anyone who has been a victim of such pranks or has information about them to contact their local law enforcement agency. They also advised people to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings when using their phones or other devices in public places.
Conclusion:
Lewis and Smith are facing several charges for their alleged TikTok pranks that involved assaulting and robbing random people. The sheriff's department condemned their actions and warned the public about the dangers of such pranks. TikTok also prohibits such content on its platform and encourages users to report any violations.