San Francisco movie theater evacuated, suspected gunman detained

SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco police says a man is in custody and a handgun has been recovered from inside a movie theater that was evacuated after officials received reports of a possible gunman. No injuries were reported.

San Francisco Police spokeswoman Officer Grace Gatpandan says authorities received a 911 call Tuesday night of a person possibly armed with a handgun inside a movie theater at the Metreon shopping center.

She says officers responded to the shopping center in downtown San Francisco and evacuated one of the theaters "in an abundance of caution."

Gatpandan says the investigation is ongoing and that people should avoid the area of Mission and 4th Streets.

Witness Jeff Wincek tells the San Francisco Chronicle that though the theater was dark, he saw the glint of a gun barrel as the man waved the handgun. He says the man stayed seated while others ran out of the theater.