Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Shooting scare at Town Square prompts big police response

Fight at GameWorks

Special to the Sun

Metro Police officers and police vehicles are shown outside GameWorks in the Town Square shopping mall after a fight Friday, July 6, 2018.

Updated Saturday, July 7, 2018 | 12:11 a.m.

Metro responds to shooting scare at GameWorks

A Metro Police officer is shown outside GameWorks in the Town Square shopping mall after a fight Friday, July 6, 2018. Launch slideshow »

Metro Police swarmed Town Square after reports of a possible shooting in the retail center’s arcade on Friday night.

Two teens coordinated to fight at GameWorks, and each brought friends, Metro Lt. Dave Sims said. One of the teens pulled out a handgun to create hysteria from patrons, but no shots were fired and no one was injured, he said.

Police received a “barrage of calls” about an “active shooter” at 9:12 p.m., which prompted a large officer presence and panicked patrons to scatter. Many sought safety in the neighboring movie theater.

“It appears like it escalated from there from the number of calls that we received,” Sims said. “The area is safe. There is no danger. We did not have an active shooter tonight down at Town Square.”

Witnesses noted dozens of Metro units responding to Town Center, which is located on Las Vegas Boulevard in between the 215 Beltway and Warm Springs Road.

One moviegoer at AMC Town Square said that as he was leaving the theater staff told him to remain inside because there was a possible shooting. He was also told to stay away from the entrance.

Shortly after, many people began running into the theater, the witness said.

Multiple teenagers were detained and the gun has been recovered, Sims said. Police believe they have identified the teen who brought gun to the arcade and as of 11:30 p.m. were searching for the teen's whereabouts.

The theater, which was on lockdown as ushers kept panicked moviegoers from exiting into danger, remained closed for the remainder of the evening. Moviegoers were issued vouchers.