Walt Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, experienced a significant scare due to a false report of an active shooter. The panic began after a physical altercation between guests was followed by the sound of several balloons popping.The combination of the fight and the balloon noises led to widespread confusion among visitors, with many mistakenly believing there was an active shooter on the loose. As rumors of a shooting quickly spread, guests scrambled to flee the park and find safety, resulting in chaotic scenes and stampedes.🚨🇺🇸 BREAKING: FALSE ACTIVE SHOOTER SCARE CAUSES PANIC AT DISNEYS MAGIC KINGDOMEarlier this evening, a false active shooter scare at Walt Disney Worlds Magic Kingdom in Orlando, Florida, caused mass panic and stampedes after a fight broke out, followed by the popping of… pic.twitter.com/WSYhLPEhnB— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) August 30, 2024Official ResponseThe Orange County Sheriffs Office promptly addressed the situation, confirming that there was no active shooter or imminent threat to the public. The Sheriffs Office clarified that the noise which triggered the panic was indeed from balloons and not from gunshots. They assured the public that there were no confirmed injuries related to the incident.ALERT: There is NO active shooter at @WaltDisneyWorlds Magic Kingdom. A fight occurred, and a “popping” sound was heard that we believe was a balloon. Guests began running and thats how the active shooter rumor started. There is no active shooter. pic.twitter.com/TRKLs3NglC— Orange County Sheriffs Office (@OrangeCoSheriff) August 30, 2024In a statement, the Sheriffs Office said: “There is NO active shooter at @WaltDisneyWorlds Magic Kingdom. A fight occurred, and a popping sound was heard that we believe was a balloon. Guests began running and thats how the active shooter rumor started. There is no active shooter.”As of now, the situation has been brought under control, and Disneys Magic Kingdom has resumed normal operations. The quick response from law enforcement helped prevent any serious injuries, despite the initial alarm. The incident highlights the impact of misinformation and the importance of remaining calm in emergencies.
