A man disrupted a Milwaukee Area Technical College nurse pinning ceremony twice Tuesday night, creating a panic for the audience.
Debbie Gibbs, an audience member, wrote on social media that the man walked to the front of the stage with a backpack and refused to leave. Audience members decided to leave, causing people to scatter and even hide in different areas. The man later re-entered and was tackled by bystanders after shouting "strange things."
According to a statement by MATC, the man was not connected to the program. The audience was moved to safety while the man was removed by MATC Public Safety. Milwaukee Police Department later responded, and the program resumed.
"The man reentered the space and was again apprehended. The ceremony resumed and was completed," a MATC spokesperson said.
Authorities say the man was not armed.
Audience members, however, have been taking to social media criticizing how MATC handled the incident.
MATC said there is an ongoing investigation with MPD.
