LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) - Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism released that during the Salt Bowl scare, a person involved in a fight did fire a stun gun, leading to mass panic.
According to the release, approximately 10 men were in a fight near section 21 when one of them brought out and fired a stun gun. Immediately after, several people around that section began yelling "Gun, gun."
Then, hundreds of people began running north of the stadium, causing mass panic and the abrupt end of the game between Benton and Bryant. The person with the stun gun continued activating the stun gun as he ran through a corridor near the concession stand. While the person was running, a minor female was toughed with the stun gun on the upper part of her left leg.
According to the release, several event staff confronted the group of men that were previously fighting and began to chase them. By this time, that area, and the stadium was in mass panic.
One of the event staff members confronted the man with the stun gun and took the weapon from him. That person then ran away from the staff member, who proceeded to chase him into the stands while firing the stun gun at the suspect. The suspect then began screaming, "Gun, he's got a gun," which set off further panic.
Law enforcement members and officials then met at gate 7 to talk the people in the fight and chased several people out of that gate.
At the same time as the mass panic at the stadium, DEA officers were conducting a felony traffic stop on the corner of Markham and Fair Park. The officers were dressed in full SWAT gear and were carrying rifles. This further incited panic, as those fleeing the stadium saw this scene.
Some people that ran from the stadium went to UAMS and told officers that there was a mass shooter, leading to UAMS entering a lockdown.
The release estimates that there were upward of 25,000 spectators running in every direction. Multiple barriers were also knocked down during the panic, causing further speculation of a shooting.
Over the last few months, multiple agencies have reviewed video and evidence and have announced that there was not an active shooter.
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