According to police, at 8:42 p.m. local time, officers responded to a report of a possible shooting inside a movie theatre at the Ballston Quarter. Social media users have shared video they claim is from the scene.
Report of active shooter at #Ballston Quarter in #Arlington. Regal Cinema workers seen running away from theater. Police swarming scene. pic.twitter.com/v8mKWDw09E
— Jason Surbey (@JasonSurbey) September 15, 2019
BREAKING: Possible shooter in the Ballston area in Arlington. Avoid area. #ballston #arlington #breaking pic.twitter.com/sLNzzRZPBX
— Laura Sejas (@LauraSejasMedia) September 15, 2019
Later, Arlington police said that there was no evidence of a shooting or any casualties in the theatre. The area, however, remained locked down.
POLICE ACTIVITY:
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) 15 September 2019
At approx 8:42 pm police responded to the report of a possible shooting inside a movie theatre at the Ballston Quarter. The investigation has not located any evidence of a shooting or any victims. The theatre remains in shelter in place while we conduct a search.
Meanwhile, reports of the alleged shooting prompted local panic and a large police presence.
UPDATE: The preliminary search of the theater has completed. All individuals sheltering in place have been evacuated. Police remain on scene investigating and a police helicopter is assisting. No evidence of a shooting has been located.
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) 15 September 2019
Arlington police said later on Saturday that only one person was injured "while self evacuating the building" and was transported to a local hospital.
UPDATE: Police continue to conduct a search of the Ballston Quarter building. One individual suffered a minor injury while self evacuating the building and was transported to an area hospital. No other injuries reported.
— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) 15 September 2019
According to local media reports, panic eventually subsided and many continued to eat and drink inside the restaurants and bars in the adjacent area.
The news broke earlier in the day after the Arlington County Office of Emergency Management tweeted a warning of a possible shooting and urged locals to avoid the area.
INCIDENT: Possible Shooting
— Arlington Alert (@arlingtonalert) September 15, 2019
LOCATION:4238 Wilson Bl - Ballston Common Mall
IMPACT: Police are on the scene of a possible shooting inside of the mall. Avoid the area.
