ORLANDO, Fla. – A gun scare at Disney’s Magic Kingdom theme park on Thursday sparked a stampede among guests, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office.
In a release, deputies said a fight happened somewhere at the park, and a “popping” sound was heard.
While investigators believe the sound came from a balloon, it caused guests to flee the scene, which prompted rumors about an active shooter, the sheriff’s office announced.
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As such, deputies confirmed there is no active shooter.
A video shared with News 6 by viewer Ana Rosado shows the aftermath at the park following the gun scare.
Breanna Horton was at Magic Kingdom Thursday night with her family. They were taking photos near Main Street when they saw people running.
“I’ve never seen anything like that at Disney. I’ve never experienced something like that at Disney and we go quite frequently. But it was literally like my husband said, it was like the stampede scene from ‘The Lion King,’ like everyone was running towards us,” Horton said.
Disney released this statement on Thursday night after the incident:
“We appreciate the immediate response of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to quickly assess and clear the situation. Normal operations have resumed and the park is now closed for the evening.”
Walt Disney World Resorts
In statements released Friday morning, the sheriff’s office said there were no arrests made following the fight, adding both parties declined to press charges and that one of the people involved in the original fight asked to be taken to a hospital, noting it was the only reported injury out of the commotion.
“I still feel safe when I go to Disney. I don’t think it’s an issue, but I definitely will wait and not exit with a big crowd of people just in case there’s a fight or something else,” Horton said.
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