Loud noise causes panic, evacuation at Edgewater movie theater

EDGEWATER (WABC) -- The Multiplex movie theater in Edgewater was evacuated Saturday evening, according to police.

Edgewater Mayor Michael McPartland said that someone in the theater jumped over a chair, and it made a loud noise that sounded like a gunshot. The noise then caused a chain reaction among theatergoers thinking it was a threat, and one thing led to another.

"When I heard it on the radio and got here right away. Everyone is on edge, we are so close to Manhattan...this would definitely be a soft target something along the lines of a theater, but the response was good," said Mayor McPartland.

Dogs went inside the theater, and gave it the all clear. No devices or causes for concern were found. The theater remained closed for the rest of the night.

"It was a big night here. There were about a thousand people in the movie theater tonight. Mockingjay opened up," added Mayor McPartland.

No one was injured.