The Easton Town Center AMC movie theater was evacuated after reports of a shooting Saturday night. In fact, all stores and restaurants were evacuated in the area in order to avoid a potential fire.
Around 8:54 p.m. the police received reports that an active shooter was on the loose
People ran for cover after hearing the shooting.
There have been no reports of injuries among nearby stores and restaurants.
Columbus police took a suspect into custody.
At this time, there is no word on the shooter’s identity, the type of weapon used, or what charges may be issued.
Updates
In the hours since our first report was published, there have been several developments.
First, from the management of Easton. “There were no shots fired last night. An unarmed individual acted in an erratic manner inside one of the AMC theaters causing concern among our customers. Easton Public Safety and Columbus Police responded. Columbus Police Special Duty immediately apprehended the person. There was no firearm in his possession and it was determined there was no threat to public safety.”
Police have in custody, Benjamin Pendleton, who is being charged with inducing panic.
It seems that Pendleton interrupted a showing of the movie “Suicide Squad”. It is alleged that he opened the doors to the theater and yelled “I’m the f***ing king!”
Reports say Pendleton was seen carrying a bag as he ran around the audience members who were panicked and trying to escape.
It appears that the shots that were heard were actually coming from the movie and not from a shooter in the building.
Pendleton is charged with inducing panic and that’s exactly what happened.
Do you feel that a minor misdemeanor charge is sufficient for the amount of chaos this caused?