The British alternative rock band Sports Team has encountered a distressing incident as they kick off their latest U.S. tour, having reportedly been robbed at gunpoint. Such an event not only disrupts their momentum but also raises significant concerns about safety on the road for touring musicians.

As detailed in a recent press release, the alarming event took place around 8 AM on Tuesday, December 3, at a Starbucks in Vallejo, California, just outside of San Francisco. This unfortunate incident disrupted the band’s brief stop after they launched their West Coast tour the previous night with a performance at the renowned Kilowatt venue in San Francisco. An observant bystander alerted them that their tour van was being violently ransacked, leading to a chaotic scene that no one could have anticipated.

According to the press release, the band attempted to intervene in the robbery but were met with a gun being brandished by the assailants, forcing them to take cover for their safety. The press release further explained that upon contacting the police for assistance, the band was stunned to learn that law enforcement would not respond to the scene of the crime, leaving them to deal with the aftermath of the incident on their own.

In the aftermath of the robbery, the band reported that they were advised by the police to file a report online, which they have since completed. Unfortunately, items of great personal and professional significance were stolen, including laptops, personal belongings, passports, and various other valuables. Each of these losses not only affects their tour but also represents a breach of their personal security and peace of mind.

The group took to social media platforms to share footage of the unsettling incident, providing their followers with a real-time account of how events unfolded. In their posts, they recounted how they had stopped for coffee when a man rushed in to inform them that individuals were violently breaking into their van. They dashed outside to intervene, only to discover masked robbers actively ransacking their belongings. In a moment of sheer panic, they began shouting, prompting the assailants to brandish a firearm, escalating the situation dramatically.

As they detailed their experience, the band humorously noted, “Stopped for coffee. Man runs in saying some guys are smashing into a van.” They recounted how they attempted to confront the thieves, only to find themselves in a dire situation with masked individuals ransacking their belongings. They expressed their disbelief at the police’s response, which was simply to “submit an online report.” Despite losing a substantial amount of personal gear, they were relieved that their instruments remained untouched, allowing them to continue on to Sacramento for their show later that evening.

In a light-hearted yet poignant remark, they added, “They can take our Nintendo Switches, but they can never take our ability to play rock songs about motorways.” This statement encapsulates the resilience of artists in the face of adversity. They also expressed a sense of disbelief regarding the nonchalant attitude surrounding such incidents, emphasizing how common these occurrences seem to have become: “It happens. 9 AM at some petrol station Starbucks. Wild.”

Despite this harrowing experience, Sports Team is determined to continue their current tour, with a performance scheduled in Sacramento later that evening. This tour is particularly significant as it leads up to the release of their highly anticipated album, Boys These Days, which is set to debut on February 25. This marks the band’s second visit to the U.S. within the year, having previously performed several dates on the East Coast in early November, showcasing their commitment to sharing their music with fans across the nation.