An investigation has been launched after a woman dressed as a stormtrooper to promote a restaurant on Star Wars day (4 May) was thrown to the ground by police for carrying a 'firearm' which turned out to be a toy gun. You can watch what happened below:
The unnamed employee was walking around the car park outside Coco Vanilla Galactic Cantina after arriving for her shift at 10am.
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However, by 11.20am three police cars were at the scene in Lethbridge, Canada, and the stormtrooper was taken to the ground.
The restaurant owner, Bradley Whalen was shouting to the officers that the woman only had a toy gun and the man filming explained to officers that he could get something similar at a 'dollar store'.
Speaking to LNN, Mr Whalen said: "Police officers had guns drawn, pointed at my employee. They were yelling at her to put the gun down so she threw the plastic gun on the ground.
"At that point in time when I came out, she was on her knees kneeling down on the ground. The police had already checked and seen that the gun was plastic so they already knew that there wasn't an issue or a risk there."
According to Lethbridge Police Service the incident has been reviewed and handed to Medicine Hat Police Service who will be investigating what happened.
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In a statement, the LPS said: "On May 4, 2020 at approximately 11 a.m. police responded to two 911 calls reporting a person in a Storm Trooper costume carrying a firearm along the 500 block of 13 Street North.
"The weapon was ultimately confirmed to be a fake firearm and the female subject, who indicated she was an employee promoting a local business, was not charged. The female sustained a minor injury but did not require medical attention."
In a Facebook post, Coco Vanilla Galactic Cantina shared pictures of their new signs to tell people that the guns are just plastic.
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Providing an update, the restaurant wrote: "Our staff member is doing OK. She was a little bumped and bruised. There is still a long way to go for her emotional recovery but we appreciate all the kind words of support during this crazy time. The force is strong with this one!
"She will continue to be our amazing employee and we hope to allow her to stay home as long as possible and continue to pay her. Anyone wishing to offer any type of support can do so by visiting our website at www.cocovanilla.ca also we have had tons of messages offering to send her things.
"Anyone is welcome to mail items or have flowers delivered directly to the restaurant at 531 13St North Lethbridge Alberta T1H2S6 Again thank you everyone for your find words and support for her in this crazy time."
Featured Image Credit: ViralHogTopics: News