Breaking News: Panic at AMC Southlake Theater on National Cinema Day
MORROW, Ga. – The Clayton County Sheriff’s Office is warning the public to stay away from the AMC Southlake theater in Morrow tonight due to a large police presence in the area. The incident occurred on Sunday, which marked National Cinema Day, a holiday where movie theater companies offer discounted showings. Unfortunately, this holiday has also been associated with violence in previous years.
According to Morrow Police Major Mark Woodall, an officer patrolling the theater around 8:14 p.m. reported hearing what he believed were gunshots from inside the theater. This led to a near stampede as panicked moviegoers rushed to exit the building. Multiple witnesses reported receiving texts and hearing screams about an active shooter, causing chaos and fear among the crowd. Some managed to find places to hide, while others scrambled for the nearest exit.
Woodall described the scene as one of distress and disarray, with broken items scattered throughout the theater. He immediately called for backup and worked to evacuate the theater in a quick and methodical manner. Once all the customers were safely outside, responding officers searched the scene but did not find any shell casings. Woodall noted that this does not rule out the possibility of a shooter using a revolver or the sound being mistaken for fireworks.
Officials are currently conducting an investigation to determine the cause of the incident. In a separate incident on the same night, mass hysteria broke out at the Arbor Place Mall in Douglasville. Douglasville police reported that a loud noise, mistaken for gunfire, caused panic at the Regal Cinema, resulting in the evacuation and closure of the theater for the night.
If you have any information, photos, or videos related to the incident at AMC Southlake 24, please email [email protected]. The authorities are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward to assist in their investigation.
What are authorities doing to investigate and prevent any future incidents at movie theaters
Panic Erupts at AMC Southlake Theater on National Cinema Day
MORROW, Ga. – Chaos and confusion took hold at the AMC Southlake theater in Morrow last night, sending moviegoers fleeing for safety. The incident, which occurred on National Cinema Day, a holiday known for discounted showings, has prompted a warning from the Clayton County Sheriff’s Office for the public to stay away from the area.
The disturbance began when an officer patrolling the theater heard what he believed to be gunshots at around 8:14 p.m. According to witnesses, the sound sparked a wave of panic, with people rushing towards the exits in a desperate attempt to escape. Text messages and screams about an active shooter further fueled the fear and chaos among the crowd.
Morrow Police Major Mark Woodall described the scene as one of distress and disarray, with broken items strewn across the theater. Acting swiftly, he called for backup and worked to evacuate the premises systematically. Once all the customers were safely outside, officers conducted a thorough search but did not discover any shell casings. Woodall acknowledged that this does not eliminate the possibility of a shooter using a revolver or the sound being mistaken for fireworks.
Authorities are currently investigating the cause of the incident. In an unrelated incident on the same night, panic erupted at the Regal Cinema in the Arbor Place Mall in Douglasville. Confusion spread after a loud noise, initially thought to be gunfire, led to the evacuation and closure of the theater for the remainder of the night.
If you have any information, photos, or videos related to the incident at AMC Southlake 24, please contact the authorities at [email protected]. Officials are urging anyone with relevant information to come forward and assist in their investigation.
