This is why you don't pose with guns for the mannequin challenge

Authorities seized several firearms and packets of marijuana.
 By 
Nicole Gallucci
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

A mannequin challenge filmed in Huntsville, Alabama, has attracted plenty of attention -- much of it from law enforcement.

In November, a group of 22 men gathered together to partake in the viral challenge, but rather than striking a silly pose with a friend or pretending to chug from a bottle of wine, they decided to film themselves frozen with firearms in hand.

After the controversial video was submitted to the Madison County Sheriff’s office website, police launched an investigation that ended in two arrests, along with the seizure of several firearms and marijuana.

After at least 19 firearms were identified in the video, which was posted to Facebook on Nov. 9, the mannequin challenge raised a great deal of suspicion regarding licensing and permits.

The video below shows the challenge, and the men can clearly be seen pointing rifles at one another and "hiding" behind garbage cans and under cars as if to take cover from shots.

In a press conference on Tuesday morning, Capt. Mike Salomonsky addressed the actions that led to the investigation, along with the resulting charges.

He explained that an investigation was launched after seeing the men armed with various handguns and possible assault weapons. "Through their investigation, the Criminal Investigation/Narcotics Unit was able to obtain enough probably cause to get a search warrant for the address," Salomonsky said.

Salomonsky explained that the Madison County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team, the City of Huntsville Police Department SWAT team and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were all present when the search was executed, and the items found were quite concerning.

In the search, two handguns, one assault rifle, a single-barrel shotgun, multiple packets of marijuana, a tactical vest, rounds of ammunition and multiple magazines were confiscated and displayed at the press conference.

Salomonsky announced that 49-year-old Kenneth Fennell White was arrested on two charges — first degree possession of marijuana and being a felon in possession of a firearm. His bond was set at $30,000. Terry Brown, 23, was also arrested on charges of possession of drug paraphernalia, loitering and promoting prison contraband. His bail was set at $3,800.

Mashable reached out to the Madison County Sheriff's Department for further comment.

Surprisingly, this is not the first time the mannequin challenge has made headlines in association with arrests in Alabama.

Back on Nov. 13, Cal Lilcal Jackson posted a video to Facebook showing inmates at an Alabama prison performing the challenge.

The video, captioned "Free us.....prison reform. .....#ALLlivesMATTER #GodLovesAll #ChaingangChallange Free My Family!!!! #share help this go viral," led to an investigation surrounding cell phone possession

Mashable Image
Nicole Gallucci

Nicole is a Senior Editor at Mashable. She primarily covers entertainment and digital culture trends, and in her free time she can be found watching TV, sending voice notes, or going viral on Twitter for admiring knitwear. You can follow her on Twitter @nicolemichele5.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
Lawsuit against Elon Musk threatens DOGE actions, survives early court challenge
Elon Musk and Donald Trump



Stephen Colbert easily mocks Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's arrest photo
Stephen Colbert presents "The Late Show"

Why the algorithm serves you wedding content when you just got divorced
a woman looking at her phone surrounded by life stage symbols: a house, wedding rings, and a baby

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

NYT Strands hints, answers for April 3, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!