(IRON MOUNTAIN, MI.)–What was supposed to have been a Friday the 13th project for students who were to finalize a story led to an incident in which law enforcement responded, and a emergency declared, and could have had a serious ending for those involved. Several local students sent out texts by Instagram and corresponded with each other which was determined to be threats by movie goers at the Tri City Cinema Friday evening. This prompted local law enforcement officials to take serious measures, as they should, in this type of incident. First of all the radio frequency was turned into an “Emergency ” channel so no other broadcasts would interrupt with communications, and police officers from Iron Mountain, Michigan State Police, deputies from the Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office, Norway and Kingsford officers responding to the scene. The entrance to the parking lot was closed off, and no one was permitted to enter, and no one was permitted to leave the theatre until each person was interviewed by law enforcement officers and cleared to depart. Many of the students in the theatre texted their parents asking for help and to take them home. It does appear an investigation of the incident is continuing, however, no one was apparently arrested. No one was injured and there were no shots fired, or explosives found and no one was apparently armed. The theatre was manned by police officers for period of time before anyone was permitted to leave. More is expected to be discussed in their investigation.
(Aaron Harper,WJNR,WOBE,WHTO)
aaronharper22@gmail.com
(UPDATE)
According to Undersheriff, Scott Metras, “On October 13th, 2017 at 6:07pm, Dickinson County Sheriff’s Office 911 Dispatch Center received a tip of a possible planned theatre shooting at the Tri City Cinema 8 in Quinnesec. The event was reported to occur at 6:30pm at the showing of ‘Happy Death Day.’ Sheriff’s deputies responded to the theatre and locked down the building. An investigation was conducted and the bsiness was searched. No weapons were located. Interviews were conducted on scene of a juvenile male whose name was provided as a possible suspect. No arrests were made and the investigation is continuing. Deputies were assisted on scene by Michigan State Police of the Iron Mountain Post, Iron Mountain Police and an off duty Kingsford Public Safety Officer and an officer from the Norway Police Department. Deputies were also assisted by the staff of the Tri City Cinema 8 Thomas Theatre Group which greatly helped in the investigation, allowing for a prompt response to the alleged threat. Once the theatre was secured and found to be safe, the theatre reopened and business continued.” Metras also noted, “The results of the investigation will be forwarded to the Dickinson County Prosecutor’s Office for review once completed.”