Sound of ‘Popping’ Balloon at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom Caused False Active Shooter Panic, Says Sheriff

Police in Florida confirmed there was no active shooter at Disney World’s Magic Kingdom on Thursday, August 29.

In a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), on Friday, August 30, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that what some people believed to be the sound of a gunshot was actually a “pop” sound produced by a balloon.

“WARNING: There is NO active shooter at @WaltDisneyWorld’s Magic Kingdom,” the statement read. “There was a fight and a ‘pop’ sound was heard which we believe was a balloon.”

“Guests started running and that’s how rumors started about an active shooter,” officials added. “There is no active shooter.”

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Video shared by Click Orlando showed the park’s gift shops empty after rumors of an active shooter spread.

Speaking to FOX 35, park visitor Glenn Brady said he and his family were inside one of the stores when people suddenly burst in, adding that security told people to take cover.

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“Some had to leave their strollers and strollers behind,” said Brady, who was visiting from Kansas. “So, we were there for about 15 minutes, and then they took us to another place behind the store where we stayed for, like, another 30 minutes until they finally took us out of the park.”

Park guests were eventually allowed to use the buses and ferry back to the parking lot.

Disney World also released a statement following the scare.

“We appreciate the immediate response of the Orange County Sheriff’s Office to quickly assess and clarify the situation,” the spokesperson said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE. “Normal operations have resumed and the park is now closed for the evening.”

PEOPLE has reached out to Disney World for further comment.

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