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nrthshgrl
It goes fast. Pay attention.
Member since 7/05 57538 total posts
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Movie theater publicity stunt triggers officers to respond to active shooter situation
Why would anyone in their right mind think this is a good idea??!
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -
Management at the Goodrich Capital 8 Theaters is defending what it calls a publicity stunt at the movie theaters this past weekend.
Jefferson City police and witnesses, however, are not pleased with the stunt and are questioning the theater's logic after recent shootings in Aurora, Colo. and Newtown, Conn.
John Molock is a retired Army war veteran and suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. He told ABC 17 News this most recent trip to the movies triggered memories he never wanted to relive.
"We had just finished watching Iron Man 3," said Morlock. "We're just getting into the car when I spotted a man in full assault gear, carrying what appeared to be a modified M-4 and 9 mm on his side."
Morlock did not call police, but several other moviegoers did.
"We received a series of 911 calls stating that a man dressed in all black and body armor and a rifle was walking into Capital 8 Theaters," said Capt. Doug Shoemaker.
Officers thought they were responding to an active shooter investigation.
"Everything was in place, it's the opening night of a superhero movie, it's somebody walking in all-dark clothes, everything pointed to bad things about to happen," said Shoemaker. "There's really no good that can come of this."
Instead, it was all part of a publicity stunt for the movie opening. The man in tactical gear was an actor carrying a fake gun.
Capital 8 Theaters manager Bob Wilkins told ABC 17 News this was planned months in advance and only a few people were upset, but hundreds were entertained.
When asked if management took into consideration what happened in the the mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater, Wilkins responded, "Absolutely. That's my number-one priority every day. It's the safety and security of our guests."
ABC 17 News asked Wilkins if he had any regrets for allowing the publicity stunt and he said, "No, my job is to entertain people."
Still, some moviegoers and law enforcement do not believe the stunt was a good idea.
"That's just unbelievable," said Morlock. "The whole country is talking about gun control because of shootings in theaters and schools."
"It's an unfortunate lack of wisdom in this particular judgement that hopefully will never occur again," said Shoemaker.
Shoemaker added it's a good thing an off-duty officer wasn't at the theater because it's likely the officer would have engaged the actor. Had the actor not complied, the situation could have turned out much worse.
Jefferson City police say the department has a good relationship with the theater and ironically, the SWAT team held an active shooter training there just a couple months ago.
Copyright © 2013 KMIZ - The Networks of Mid-Missouri. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
http://www.abc17news.com/news/movie-theater-publicity-stunt-triggers-officers-to-respond-to-active-shooter-situation/-/18421100/20089958/-/66o97fz/-/index.html
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Posted 5/10/13 10:57 AM  |
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meloyellow
LIF Adult
Member since 3/13 1843 total posts
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Re: Movie theater publicity stunt triggers officers to respond to active shooter situation
what an idiot...
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| Posted 5/10/13 11:02 AM |
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Otherme
Square head cutie pants
Member since 3/06 6899 total posts
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Re: Movie theater publicity stunt triggers officers to respond to active shooter situation
And imagine if some 'good guy with a gun' was there and thought this was a real threat, and decided to be a 'hero' and take this guy down
 
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| Posted 5/10/13 11:03 AM |
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Re: Movie theater publicity stunt triggers officers to respond to active shooter situation
WTF is WRONG with people?!!!!!?
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| Posted 5/10/13 11:10 AM |
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jam11308
Member since 11/07 7273 total posts
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Movie theater publicity stunt triggers officers to respond to active shooter situation
That's just unreal! WHYYYYY would he even think about doing something like that?!?!
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| Posted 5/10/13 11:29 AM |
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PearlJamChick
No one sings like you anymore.
Member since 7/10 9264 total posts
Name:
Petticoated Swashbuckler
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Re: Movie theater publicity stunt triggers officers to respond to active shooter situation
Some people really lack tact, decency and common sense. What an asshole.
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| Posted 5/10/13 11:38 AM |
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JDubs
different, not less
Member since 7/09 13160 total posts
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Re: Movie theater publicity stunt triggers officers to respond to active shooter situation
i dont see how this guy thought this could be funny. what an a$$hole
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| Posted 5/10/13 11:49 AM |
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Jax430
Hi!
Member since 5/05 18919 total posts
Name:
Jackie
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Re: Movie theater publicity stunt triggers officers to respond to active shooter situation
What a moron. Who in his right mind would think that this was a good idea for "entertainment," in light of recent events in this country? How insensitive, and how potentially dangerous, should bystanders have tried to play hero.
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| Posted 5/10/13 12:37 PM |
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mommy2B3
2 boys 2 girls!!!!
Member since 7/08 3324 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Movie theater publicity stunt triggers officers to respond to active shooter situation
How is that entertainment?? Hes clearly sick.. but im curious how many people knew about this and said nothing? How that "actor" didnt think he was potentially putting himself in danger.
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| Posted 5/10/13 12:55 PM |
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