FINAL UPDATE – 8:15 pm: 23 year old Lakewood resident Nathan Sanders was charged criminally and released from custody. During the investigation, it was learned that while at Climb Zone (adjacent to XSCAPE), Mr. Sanders lit off the fireworks while a friend was proposing marriage. There was no intent to cause panic to theatre patrons. Obviously this was a very poor decision rather than an overt act.
We thank Lakewood Police Department and Jackson Police Department for their quick response. We are also appreciative of the patrons for reacting quickly and by directing the officers to the theaters they thought were involved.
UPDATE – 6:20 pm: Male suspect under arrest.
UPDATE: Theatre has been cleared by Howell, Lakewood and Jackson Police. No victims. No shots were fired. The manager confronted a male subject who lit fireworks outside the theatre. Officers have found the remnants of discharged fireworks.
Callers inside the theatre called 9-1-1 believing shots were being fired.
The investigation is continuing and a search is under way for the suspect(s).
Please contact us if you have any information.
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We are currently on scene after reported shots were fired inside the theatre. Patrons are being evacuated and being detained until we determine what is occurring. There are no victims at this time and no proof as of yet there was an actual shooting.
Please avoid the area. Do not add to this complicated situation.
Lauren Ann
So theres a criminal charge for lighting off legal fireworks in an outdoor open environemnt, during a totally non related no intentions incident, for a marriage proposal, on New Years day, in the middle of a paved parking lot?
At that point it’s just a noise issue. Could have been a backfiring car that caused the overreactive panic also.
Good luck to the town to hold that one up in court!
Fireworks are actually still illegal, although the police should have used discretion in this instance. I suppose creating a false public alarm and doing it near a populated area contributed to it.
The aerial ones are illegal. But not the ground type. As long as they dont go off the ground they’re the legal ones. But I’ve heard some ground type ones that sound almost as loud as a small explosion. So I guess it all just comes down to discretion at that point. There was an instance in NJ last year where a false alarm was called in for a car backfiring also. My car does it sometimes, it’s rare, but wow is it loud and can definitely be passed off as something else.
Sean Howlett they can go off the ground just can’t be more than 12 feet
Fireworks are not legal in the state of NJ. The ones you see for sale at Walmart do not make any noise. Firecrackers, bottle rockets, and anything that goes bang are still illegal.
“The only types of fireworks that are currently legal in New Jersey are handheld sparklers, ground-based sparklers, and novelty items like party popper and snappers. All other fireworks, like explosive and aerial fireworks, sky rockets, firecrackers, bottle rockets, and Roman candles remain illegal in the state.“
Release the name of the caller,
Scott Therrien Gladys Kravitz
Kathleen Strittmatter I bet shes fun at parties
What isnt illegal in NJ.
Stupid a$$ state.
Fireworks outside a movie theater for a wedding proposal? Why kinda trailer park tish is that?