Man's gun goes off in theater, hits woman

RENTON, Wash. — Police say the man who shot and critically wounded a woman inside a movie theater in Washington on Thursday night is in custody.

The incident happened shortly after 8 p.m. PT at the Regal Cinemas at The Landing in Renton.

According to Renton police, a man who appeared intoxicated went to the showing of 13 Hours. Police say the man walked inside the theater with a gun and "accidentally" discharged his weapon, hitting a woman in the theater.

The woman was transported to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle in critical condition, according to firefighters.

Police believe the suspect initially left the scene Thursday evening right after the shooting, but the man's father called 911 a short time later to turn him in. The 29-year-old surrendered to police at his family's home.

The suspect told detectives the shooting was an accident that took place when he dropped his gun inside the theater. The man reportedly said the gun discharged when it fell to the ground. He also said he'd been drinking before the shooting took place.