Police training helped prevent Revere Carnival shooting from getting out of hand

REVERE, Mass. — A shooting at the annual Revere Carnival turned a fun atmosphere into chaos and new police training may have prevented the situation from spiraling out of control, according to one security expert.

Revere Police had received unconfirmed reports of a shooter at the annual Revere Carnival and quickly instructed people to remain safe and take cover inside the Showcase Cinemas.

Former Boston Police Chief Dan Linskey credits their intensive training with it all going so smoothly, despite the overwhelming tension.

Concerned the shooter was heading towards the movie theater, two patrolmen on duty made the call to lock down the theater, so no one was allowed in or out.

The chaos that erupted from the sounds of gunshots was recorded on cell phone video cameras in the Revere movie theater parking lot on Easter Sunday night. Right after the shots rang out, people rushed inside the theater.

Thankfully, no one was injured.

Since the tragic shooting in a movie theater in 2012 in Aurora, Colorado, Boston Police have been training and preparing themselves for a potential situation of that nature.

Linskey organized a training program in Brookline which made use of an old movie theater in Cleveland Circle where police would practice several different kinds of drills, including scenarios where gunmen would take on hostages.

Revere Police have also gone through similar training, which helped instill safety and order when the level of panic was high, according to Linskey.

Police towed several cars in the parking lot that were hit by bullets for ballistic evidence and are searching through the theater's CCTV camera footage hoping to find a lead to a suspect or suspects.

According to the Revere Police Chief, the Carnival owner attributes the spike in violence to the new “Fast and Furious” movie, “The Fate of The Furious.”

The Revere Chief believes it’s due to the kind of people the movie attracts as well as the violence encouraged by the movie itself. His department is currently looking into potential motivations for this type of incident.

No arrests have been made and there are still no suspects.

Anyone who has heard or seen anything regarding this incident is encouraged to contact Revere Police at 781-284-1212.

Cox Media Group