If You're Going to Film a Rap Video on School Property, You Probably Shouldn't Do This

It's not out of the ordinary for teens and young adults to make homemade music videos, but a rap video shoot over the weekend on the grounds of an Indianapolis high school led to the arrest of one man who brought a gun onto the property.

Ezell Triplet (Photo: WTHR-TV video screenshot)

Even though school was not in session, Ezell Triplet was arrested Sunday for possessing a firearm on John Marshall High School's property, which is a Class D felony within the state even though the 23-year-old had a permit.

WTHR-TV reported the Indianapolis Metro Police Department's gang unit following other videos produced by the group, which led them to believe a gun could be involved in this latest video shoot. In addition to the firearm found on Triplet, another was confiscated from underneath a car on the property as well.

What's more, authorities are cracking down on the group believing it is promoting a gang influence:

"We caught people with guns, dope and drugs," said IMPD Lt. Chris Bailey, who worked gang investigations for several years.

What worries police about the homemade videos is the dangerous mix of guns, gang signs and lots of cash. Many of the videos also prominently feature small children.

"There are kids as young as three years old in these videos where people have weapons, drugs, lots of cash. That's all an element for trouble," said Lt. Bailey.

The alleged gang members have filmed other music videos in the past, leading the gang unit to suspect they might bring banned items onto school property for this latest video. (Photo: WTHR-TV video screenshot)

Police and locals are especially concerned about the influence the alleged gang could be having on children, as they have been featured in some of the rap videos in the past. (Photo: WTHR-TV video screenshot)

Reverend Charles Harrison agreed with the gang unit's actions.

"They are claiming this area and this school. They are trying to send a message to other rival groups that may be in this area and certain other groups in this city," Rev. Harrison told WTHR of the video. "We cannot allow for these types of messages to go out because all it does is lead to more violence."

According to the Indianapolis Star Tribune, more than 20 people ranging from 14 to 44 years old were at the scene for the rap video shoot.

Police confiscated the video as part of their ongoing investigation.

Watch WTHR's report about the incident:

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