British indie band Sports Team was robbed at gunpoint on the first day of their US tour in Vallejo, California. The band lost valuable items, including passports, stage equipment, and personal belongings, when a thief looted their tour van.
The incident occurred around 8:45 a.m. local time, as the band members were having breakfast at a Starbucks and preparing for their tour’s opening show in nearby Sacramento. A passerby alerted them that their van was being robbed, and when they rushed outside, they were confronted by a thief brandishing a gun.
In a video shared with the BBC, the group’s tour manager, Lauren, can be seen approached by the thief while the bandmates try to take cover. Drummer Al Greenwood recalled feeling intense fear, thinking she might witness a shooting. "It was very disorienting because the Starbucks staff didn’t seem very alarmed and just continued serving customers," Greenwood said.
The thief smashed the van's passenger window and stole electronics, including film cameras and laptops, as well as suitcases filled with the band’s clothes. The group also lost their passports and important documents, leaving them with no choice but to wear the same clothes for the next two weeks. Greenwood’s journal was also among the stolen items, which she described as "almost the worst part."
Despite the ordeal, the band’s instruments were safe in a separate compartment, and they are determined to continue with their tour, which will feature their new album Boys These Days. "We’re not going to let this stop us," said Greenwood. "We’re grateful for what we have, and we’ll keep playing."
The band expressed disappointment that the police response was minimal, with officers advising them to fill out an online form instead of sending anyone to the scene. Despite the traumatic experience, Sports Team will go ahead with their scheduled shows, including a return to the Bay Area on Saturday.
"We’ve got nothing against the Bay Area," said lead singer Alex Rice. "It’s just sad that gun violence is becoming a norm."