Clayton County Sheriff’s Office Urges Caution at AMC Southlake Theater on National Cinema Day
MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office has issued a warning to the public to stay away from the AMC Southlake theater in Morrow tonight following a large police presence in the area. This comes after an incident earlier in the evening where the theater was evacuated due to reports of shots fired.
Sunday marked National Cinema Day, a holiday where many movie theater companies offer discounted showings. This holiday is known to attract large crowds, but unfortunately, it has also been associated with acts of violence in the past.
According to Morrow Police Major Mark Woodall, an officer patrolling the theater approximately around 8:14 p.m. reported hearing what he thought were gunshots from inside the theater. This led to panic and a near-stampede as moviegoers rushed to exit the building. Witnesses have reported receiving texts and hearing screams about an ‘active shooter’, causing mass hysteria.
Woodall called for backup immediately and worked quickly to evacuate the theater in a methodical manner. Despite the reports of shots fired, no shell casings were found at the scene. Woodall speculates that the noise could have been mistaken for gunshots when it may have been caused by something else, such as fireworks or even a revolver.
Authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the incident to determine the exact cause of the panic and to ensure the safety of the public attending the theater.
These events are not isolated incidents. On the same night, there was mass hysteria at a different metro Atlanta theater. Douglasville police reported that a loud noise, mistaken for gunfire, caused panic at the Arbor Place Mall. The Regal Cinema in the mall was subsequently evacuated and closed for the night.
In light of these occurrences, it is crucial for individuals to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to the authorities. If anyone has any information, photos, or videos related to the incident at the AMC Southlake 24, they are encouraged to contact [email protected].
As investigations continue, it is the duty of law enforcement agencies and theater management to take the necessary steps to enhance security measures and ensure the safety of moviegoers.