Grand Cinema reopens after threat investigation
The Grand Cinema has re-opened following a threat that caused the Tacoma theater to shut its doors.
In a post at 1:03 p.m. on Monday, the executive director, Elizabeth Calhoun, said it has increased security measures and won’t allow bags to enter the theater.
“The Tacoma Police Department has thoroughly inspected The Grand Cinema twice and made clear to us that it is safe to reopen. As a precautionary measure, we are increasing security measures to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers, audience members, and tenants of the building,” the post said. “We will also restrict bags from entering the theater this week, at the recommendation of TPD. Your safety is our top priority.”
Calhoun also said it can’t confirm more details about the threat due to the ongoing investigation.
“We would like to clarify that to our knowledge, the threat was not, in any way, associated with our programming,” the post said. “At this time, we cannot share further details due to ongoing police investigations. The Grand Cinema team will communicate additional details when we are able. Please refrain from speculating, as spreading misinformation can be harmful to the investigations.”
The theater — which is located at 606 Fawcett Ave. — canceled all its shows on Sunday, The News Tribune previously reported.
“Due to an ongoing threat and safety issue to the theater, we are now cancelling all shows for today,” the director of operations for the theater wrote in a post at 10:54 a.m. Sunday. “Tacoma PD has been working with us to ensure everyone is safe. We prioritize the safety of our patrons, volunteers and staff and feel it’s necessary to stay closed for today. We are very sorry to disrupt your choice to see a film with us, but we hope you’ll understand.”
Shelbie Boyd, spokesperson for the Tacoma Police Department, previously told The News Tribune the theater received a verbal threat of violence over the phone around 7:45 p.m. Saturday night. Boyd declined to go into specifics about the threats since it is an active investigation.
Patrol was busy at the time of the call Saturday, so they took a phone report about it, Boyd previously told The News Tribune. The sergeant met with staff and did a walk through of the property, and police also checked the theater early Sunday morning.
The News Tribune reached out to Boyd at 11 a.m. Monday to see if there were any updates in the investigation, and she said there has been no movement.
The theater is issuing refunds for Sunday’s shows, it said in its Sunday social media post.
“Please be patient while the team starts issuing refunds,” the post reads. “If you do not receive one by the end of the day, please contact us at info@grandcinema.com, and we will get to you as soon as we can.”
