OXON HILL, Md. — Police in Prince George's County were called to the MGM National Harbor hotel and casino on Saturday night, February 26, for an incident there. Patrons inside the casino at the time rushed for the exits in panic and confusion. Police did not give details about what happened until Monday morning.
Prince George's County Police Chief Malik Aziz said in a press conference Monday that people began moving to the exits after a fire alarm was pulled inside the MGM National Harbor Casino. During the course of the evacuation, someone set off fireworks.
"A fire alarm was triggered in some kind of way, whether that was intentionally or not, " Chief Aziz said. "During the fire alarm, where people exit rather rapidly, someone set up what we are pretty sure are fireworks."
WUSA9's Tony Perkins was inside the casino at the time. He described the scene inside as "chaos" as people ran for exits, fearing a shooting happened inside. Investigators say no injuries were reported, however.
"Fireworks sound very closely related to gunshots, and that even created more panic," Aziz said Monday.
Aziz said during the panic, some people stole property from the casino. It's not clear whether the thefts were coordinated with the fireworks incident, according to police.
MGM National Harbor refused to comment on the incident and referred all questions to police.
So far, no arrests have been made in this case, but the investigation continues.