A Showcase Cinema worker "couldn't speak" after a man "in flipflops" pointed a gun at her.
Police were called to Showcase Cinema, on East Lancs Road around 8.50pm on Wednesday, January 3, to reports a gun had been fired. Officers were told a man had entered the premises carrying a firearm.
About 20 minutes before there was an incident at Sangha's Newsagent on Lower House Lane where a firearm had been fired. One witness who was inside the cinema, Craig Moorhead, 35, from Garston, had been to watch Wonka with his daughter and her friend, who are both 14.
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He said as the film ended he heard police around the back of the building, and came out into the foyer to find armed police blocking the doors.
He said: "I went to take my daughter and her mate to watch Wonka in the Showcase and as I come out all of a sudden all armed response teams were coming in. I was talking to a girl on the desk and apparently the fella pointed a shotgun at her face.
"She was in shock and could hardly speak. I think he did a couple of shots outside and then ran in, the woman said he was wearing flipflops or something.
"They kept us inside the foyer and started evacuating us in little groups. There were 80 to 100 people inside."
Police have confirmed there are no reports of injuries at this stage and no arrests have been made.
A spokesperson from Merseyside Police said: "We can confirm that emergency services are at the Showcase cinema in Liverpool following reports shots were fired this evening, Wednesday 3 January. At around 8.50pm officers received a report that shots had been fired at Showcase Cinemas on East Lancashire Road after a man entered the premises carrying a firearm.
"About 20 minutes before there was an incident at a business on Lower House Lane where a firearm was discharged. Armed officers and local policing officers are in the area and members of the public are advised to stay indoors whilst the incident ongoing.
"At this stage no-one has been injured. Anyone with information which could help the police should call 999.
"The incident is fast moving and we will provide a further update as soon as possible."
A spokesperson for Showcase Cinemas said: “We are aware of an incident at our cinema and surrounding area in Liverpool. The safety and welfare of our staff and customers is always our number one priority and we can confirm no one was injured. We would like to thank our team members and the local police for their swift responses to this active investigation.”
For the latest updates on this incident visit out LIVE BLOG.
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