Little Rock police had an increased presence in downtown's River Market on Wednesday night after gunshots were fired during a free summer movie event in the district last week.
Police assigned 42 officers from its SWAT, motorcycle, mounted and school resource divisions to the River Market for the popular Movies in the Park series at First Security Amphitheater, according to police spokesman Lt. Sidney Allen.
About 30 officers patrolled in the district the previous Wednesday during Movies in the Park, according to Allen. That's when police escorted a large group of teenagers from the amphitheater about 9:45 p.m. because of their "unruly behavior," according to a police report. When the group reached crowded President Clinton Avenue shortly afterward, a gun was fired.
No injuries were reported. Detectives were unable to identify a shooting suspect, Allen said.
Police also positioned a portable "sky tower" in Riverfront Park on Wednesday that has been used for surveillance during Riverfest and the State Fair. Additionally, several Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau security officials and private security guards were at the sunset screening of The Hunger Games.
Attendees and River Market employees said Wednesday's crowd was noticeably smaller than the previous week. James Williams, a Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau security services official, said about 2,000 people attended the event.
Police had reported no incidents or arrests at Movies in the Park late Wednesday.
Metro on 07/17/2014