Marriage-proposal fireworks cause panic, theater evacuation

A man who set off fireworks near a movie ater as his friend me a marri proposal created panic among moviegoers who mistook fireworks for gunshots, leing to 911 calls and an evacuation, authorities said.

Howell Township police responded to Xscape ater around 6 p.m. Wednesday and soon learned ater manr h confronted a man who h lighted fireworks outside ar business near ater, authorities said.

remnants of fireworks were located, and it was determined that shots h been fired.

A 23-year-old Lakewood man told police he h set off fireworks as part of his friend’s marri proposal at or business.

While ting re was intent to cause panic at ater, a post on Howell police Facebook p stated that “obviously this was a very poor decision rar than an overt act.”

Lakewood man was charged with a fireworks infraction and disorderly conduct.

injuries were reported.