Crowds of NIBROC attendees were sent fleeing in panic Friday night after a firearm was allegedly fired during the festival, though officials report that no firearm had been discharged and no one was injured. The person responsible for causing the hysteria has reportedly been arrested.
Shortly after 10 p.m. Friday, droves of festivalgoers could be seen running away from Depot Street, prompting those in attendance at the concert to soon follow suit. As people fled, they stated that a gun had been fired in the vicinity.
Police and EMS soon flooded the scene.
Officials told the News Journal shortly after the panic that there had been no shots fired. Reportedly a fight had broken out between two individuals near one of the rides, which lead one person to yell out, “Shots fired.” The statement apparently prompted those nearby to flee.
About 10:45 p.m., the Corbin Police Department released the following official statement on their Facebook page, “Please be aware that tonight at NIBROC a carnival employee called out ‘shots fired’ causing the people in the area to panic and flee the scene. There were NO SHOTS FIRED AT NIBROC TONIGHT. The employee has been taken into custody without incident.”
By about 10:30 p.m., the concert and carnival rides had resumed operation as normal.
This is a developing story. More information will be provided as it is available.
