Suspect Involved In Tennessee Movie Theater Shooting Has Been Shot Dead
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| Suspect Involved In Tennessee Movie Theater Shooting Has Been Shot Dead |
Metro police say a 51-year-old male suspect who opened fire in a Antioch theater this afternoon first sprayed three victims with pepper spray, and also injured one of them with a hatchet.
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| One Of The Victims Speaking To The Media |
Police spokesman Don Aaron said the two first-responding officers were working a traffic stop nearby when witnesses ran to alert them to the situation inside the theater, Carmike Hickory 8.
A sergeant outside the theater encountered two women, ages 53 and 17, who had been injured by pepper spray, officials said. A third victim, a 58-year-old man, was also sprayed with pepper spray and suffered a superficial injury to his shoulder from the hatchet, officials said.
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| Officers At The Scene |
The suspect fired at the officer, and the officer shot once and backed away, he said.
The suspect was shot by police as he exited a rear door of the theater, Aaron said. Police are trained to deal with active shooters, he said.
"This guy was confined to one place, and as he emerged from the theater the officers engaged him and he was fatally wounded," Aaron said.
Aaron said the officers' quick response to challenge the gunman may have prevented further injuries.
There are eight theaters in the complex, and there were about 20 people at the complex in all when
the attack occurred, he said.
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| Carmike Hickory 8 theater |
The backpack will be detonated, he said. The federal Bureau of
Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is also on the scene and assisting.
Haas, the fire spokesman, was grateful there were not more injuries. "This could have been a lot worse," he said.
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