BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — A bomb threat forced the evacuation of the AMC Summit 16 movie theater in Birmingham, Alabama, on Thursday night, January 4, disrupting evening showings and prompting a significant law enforcement response.
The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m., according to witnesses, when theater staff interrupted screenings and directed moviegoers to exit the building through rear doors. Patrons described the evacuation as orderly but abrupt, with many unsure of the reason until they saw a large police presence outside the theater. Witnesses reported seeing between 10 and 12 police vehicles at the scene, including marked patrol cars and unmarked units.
Birmingham police confirmed that a bomb threat had been reported at the location but have not released further details about the nature of the threat or whether any suspicious devices were found. As of Wednesday morning, no arrests or injuries have been reported in connection with the incident.
The AMC Summit 16 is located in The Summit shopping center, a popular retail and entertainment destination in Birmingham. The area remained cordoned off for several hours Thursday night as authorities investigated. Moviegoers were unable to retrieve their vehicles from the parking lot until police cleared the scene.
This is not the first time Birmingham has faced bomb threats in public spaces, although there is no indication that this incident is connected to any prior threats. Authorities have not commented on whether they believe the threat was credible or if it may have been part of a hoax.
Local news outlets have provided limited coverage of the incident, which some speculate is due to standard practices aimed at discouraging copycat threats or unnecessary alarm. Bomb threats are often treated with caution by law enforcement, even if they are later determined to be false alarms.
As of Wednesday morning, neither AMC Theatres nor The Summit shopping center management has issued a public statement regarding the incident. Police have urged anyone with information about the threat to contact Birmingham Crime Stoppers at (205) 254-7777.
The investigation remains ongoing.