A misguided attempt to create viral content has resulted in serious legal consequences for three individuals from Ajax. On the night of Tuesday, March 17, 2026, a planned social media stunt at Landmark Cinemas in Whitby triggered a massive police response and forced a chaotic evacuation of the theatre. What the suspects reportedly intended as a prank for the camera was treated by authorities and panicked moviegoers as a potential active shooter threat.
The Incident at Landmark Cinemas
At approximately 11:20 p.m., members of the DRPS Central West Division responded to an urgent “armed person” call at the Landmark Cinemas located at 75 Consumers Drive. The situation escalated rapidly when several individuals inside a screening room began yelling that someone was in possession of a firearm.
Panic ensued as customers were forced to flee the theatre in fear for their lives. Upon arrival, officers established a perimeter and were directed toward three males who had already exited the building. While no firearm was found and no physical injuries were reported, the psychological impact on the families and patrons present was significant.
Viral Ambitions Meet Reality
Following a thorough investigation, DRPS determined that the suspects were not in any danger but were instead filming social media content. The group intentionally staged the false disturbance to capture the terrified reactions of the audience for a video. By the time police announced the charges on April 7, a video of the incident posted to YouTube had already garnered over 600,000 views.
“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 police news release stated.
Arrests and Legal Consequences
The three suspects, all residents of Ajax, have been arrested and released on an undertaking. They are:
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Fique Wamiq Ayub, age 23
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Jaiden Joseph-Anthony Mosquera, age 23
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A 17-year-old male youth
All three individuals face charges of Cause Disturbance and Mischief. These charges carry serious weight, especially given the public panic and the deployment of emergency resources required to secure the scene.
Public Safety Reminder
The DRPS is using this incident as a stark reminder that staging false emergencies for likes or views is a criminal offense. Anyone with additional cell phone footage, dashcam recordings from the parking lot, or further information regarding this social media stunt is encouraged to contact Cst. McGregor of the Central West Division at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2060.
Anonymous tips can also be provided to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Information leading to a conviction may result in a cash reward.
