NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Police have confirmed the death of a suspect accused in an attack at an Antioch movie theater. They released his identity Wednesday night.
The suspect as 29-year-old Vincente David Montano, of Nashville. Authorities said he was arrested in Murfreesboro in 2004 for assault and resisting arrest.
Officials said Montano was known to have psychiatric issues, and he had allegedly been committed four times, twice in 2004 to TriStar Centennial Parthenon Pavilion Mental Health Clinic in Nashville and twice in 2007 to a different facility.
Montano was allegedly reported missing Monday, and officials said his mother made that report when she couldn’t get in contact with him.
In the report, his mother told police Montano had been diagnosed by a Murfreesboro doctor with paranoid schizophrenia in April 2006, and she also said she had not seen Montano since March 2013.
A heavy police presence was seen at 901 Bell Road, the Carmike 8 movie theater, located near the Global Mall at the Crossings Wednesday afternoon.
In a press conference, authorities said they responded around 1:15 p.m. to the report of a gunman armed with a gun and a hatchet.
Active shooter situation @ Hickory 8 Theater -- suspect dead
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) August 5, 2015
Officials said they were called to a showing of "Mad Max: Fury Road," where they began to clear the theater. A total of eight people were inside that showing, including the suspect. Twenty people were on the property at the time.
This is the ax carried by today's movie theater suspect pic.twitter.com/2rHVb8WnyM
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) August 5, 2015
This is the gun the movie theater suspect had. Although it looks like a real firearm, it is an airsoft pistol. pic.twitter.com/mixi9LGc9Y
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) August 6, 2015
Officer Jonathan Frith encountered Montano, who reportedly fired at him with an airsoft pistol. Officer Frith returned fire.
Police confirmed Montano was deceased at the theater, and officials added they believed the imminent threat was over. The suspect was shot by SWAT team members.
Authorities said two women, ages 53 and 17, were doused in the face with pepper spray by Montano. Emergency crews said they were treated and released.
The suspect also heavily sprayed chemicals inside the theater, forcing officials to enter the theater with gas masks.
Another victim, a 58-year-old male identified only as Steven, had a wound to his shoulder -- possibly caused by the hatchet. He was treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Steven also gave a brief statement thanking all of those who responded and helped out, as well as asking for the public to respect his family's privacy.
Witness video from the scene showed bystanders running from the scene, as multiple gunshots can be heard in the background.
Although the imminent shooting threat was believed to be over, authorities said the gunman had two backpacks, one on him and another he had left inside. Crews responded to determine the contents of the bags and any dangers that may be involved.
The bomb squad was uncomfortable with what they saw inside the backpack the suspect was wearing. They used a robot to detonate it and determined it contained a "hoax device" with no danger involved.
Mayor Karl Dean released the following statement:
“I applaud the Metro Police Department for its great work to apprehend the suspect, keep our citizens and visitors safe, and prevent a tragedy in Antioch today. We have one of the best police forces in the nation, and it showed this afternoon in the way our officers lived up to their very thorough training. I recognize that this situation must have been traumatizing for everyone in the theater and many who were nearby, and I’m sorry that some were injured and needed treatment. I’m relieved that no one else was killed, and again, I thank the police for that.”
Those with the Ford Ice Center confirmed they were on lockdown as a result of the incident. They added the center was set to remain closed the rest of the day Wednesday and would resume normal hours Thursday.
According to Metro Schools, the Academy at Hickory Hollow was placed on lock down due to the situation, but they also confirmed no students were in the building.
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."
