Cosplay enthusiast cocks replica gun in Yishun, mobilises 50 police officers

Timothy Tan Zhiyu, 26, an unemployed cosplay enthusiast, was fined $1,000 on 15 March 2017 for causing undue panic after cocking a replica firearm near Yishun Ring Road on 23 September 2015. Tan, dressed as a law enforcement officer, had tucked a hard plastic toy gun down the front of his pants before removing and cocking it in an open-air carpark near Block 331 Yishun Ring Road. A passer-by who witnessed the act immediately alerted police, triggering an urgent operation that mobilised officers from multiple departments, including the Special Tactics and Rescue team and Special Operations Command.

Police reviewed CCTV footage across Housing Board blocks in the neighbourhood and eventually located Tan holding the replica gun in lift footage at Block 331 Yishun Ring Road. Officers raided his flat and arrested him, discovering the weapon was incapable of firing any projectiles. The raid also uncovered 14 replica rifles and two replica handguns seized from his home—purchases Tan had made to support his long-standing cosplay hobby, which included dressing as a SWAT officer or US Marine. He had bought the toy guns at Funan DigitaLife Mall.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Joshua Rene Jeyaraj noted that Tan had not intended to alarm anyone and believed no one had noticed his actions. However, given the apparent possession of a real handgun and the prevailing security climate, the urgent police response was deemed necessary. Police subsequently raided the retail store where Tan purchased the replicas as part of investigations into suspected breaches of import and export laws. Tan faced a maximum fine of $5,000 for displaying threatening behaviour and causing alarm.

• 15 Mar 2017stomp.sg