NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Authorities have released 911 calls from an attack in a movie theater in Antioch, in which a man armed with a hatchet, pepper spray and an airsoft gun went on a rampage.
The incident happened around 1:15 p.m. Wednesday, at the Carmike Hickory 8 on Bell Road. Newly released 911 calls have revealed how terrifying the attack was for moviegoers.
Officials with the Metro Police Department said Vincente David Montano, of Nashville entered into a showing of “Mad Max: Fury Road” and reportedly started attacking a family with pepper spray and struck a man in the shoulder with a hatchet.
MORE: Investigation Continues Into Antioch Theater Attack
Witnesses ran out and asked nearby officers for help.
A newly released 911 calls has revealed the moments after the family was attacked.
"This shady looking guy stood up with like two bags and he walked towards the back of a theater and he pulled out like a hatchet and started attacking this family and then he pulled out a gun and we all ran out of the theater,” a male caller can be heard telling dispatch.
Witness video from the scene also showed bystanders running from the scene. Multiple gunshots can be heard in the background.
Officer Jonathan Frith, who was working a vehicle collision nearby, was the first officer inside the theater. Montano allegedly pulled a weapon, which later turned out to be an airsoft pistol, and fired at him. The attack continued as those in nearby theaters had no idea what could happen to them.
"We were just terrified and we were trying to stay as quiet as possible. We were trying to figure out what we would actually do if he came into the room," said witness Alex Roby.
SWAT teams responded to theater 4, which by that time had been filled with pepper spray. At that point, Montano reportedly started shooting again. He ran out of the theater with the ax towards officers. Five of them started firing and fatally shot Montano.
A motive for the attack remains unknown.
Authorities said Montano suffered from significant psychological issues and had been committed to TriStar Centennial Parthenon Pavilion Mental Health Clinic in Nashville twice in 2004 and twice in 2007 to a different facility. In 2004, he was arrested for assault and resisting arrest.
Carmike Cinemas released the following statement on its website:
"We are grateful for the quick and professional actions of our staff and all first responders in Antioch and Nashville. The well-being of our guests and employees has been and will continue to be of utmost importance to our organization."
