One person was shot and sustained minor injuries, after gunfire rang out at a Friday night (January 16) showing of the new Notorious B.I.G. biopic Notorious, in Greensboro, North Carolina.
The shooting victim, who was identified by authorities early Saturday morning (January 17) as Clive O’Connor, was shot twice in the abdomen.
The 32-year-old underwent surgery after being rushed to Moses Cone Hospital. His medical condition was not immediately available, according to The News and Record.
No suspects were in custody late Friday night. The shooting took place just after 9 p.m. at the Grand 18 at Four Seasons Station in Greensboro.
Moviegoers were waiting to see Notorious as the sound of a gunshot echoed throughout the theater’s lobby.
Police and witnesses who were at the theater at the time of the shooting noted that the movie’s star, Jamal “Gravy” Woolard, was in the Grand 18 at the time of the shooting.
Gravy was living in Charlotte, North Carolina, when he was cast for his role in Notorious.
No details were available in regards to Woolard’s visit, if it had any role in the shooting, or whether there was additional security at the theater.
“We can’t say whether or not this shooting is in direct relationship to the movie Notorious… We just can’t say,” Greensboro police Lt. James Hinson told the News and Record.
Notorious centers on the life and music of B.I.G., who was fatally shot March 9, 1997 after leaving an after party in California. The murder continues to remain unsolved.
Notorious stars Woolard as B.I.G as well as Angela Bassett, Derek Luke, former 3LW member Naturi Naughton, Antonique Smith, and Anthony Mackie.
A spokeswoman for Southern Theaters, the parent company of the Grand 18, stated that the Grand 18 will honor tickets today (January 17) for customers whose movies were interrupted by the shooting Friday.
Despite this, the spokeswoman added that all showings of Notorious at the Grand 18 will be suspended indefinitely.
