What was first reported as an apparent kidnapping in the Angeles National Forest north of the San Gabriel Valley this week turned out to be a poorly planned music video shoot involving a fake kidnapping and a real gun, authorities said.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday along San Gabriel Canyon Road, in the Angeles National Forest above Azusa, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said in a written statement.

“San Dimas Station received an emergent call of a possible kidnapping,” according to the statement. “(The) informant stated he saw two suspects pointing a gun at a victim whose hands were duct taped near a black BMW.”
The men also had a shovel with them, officials said. Deputies rushed to the scene and detained three men.
“After some investigation, it was determined the men were filming a music video,” the statement said. But they were using a real handgun as a prop.
One of the men was arrested on suspicion of a misdemeanor gun violation, authorities said.
There are no words…
— CHP Santa Fe Springs (@CHP_SFS) March 16, 2019