Fans wait hours in line to get into Phoenix Comicon amid heightened security

PHOENIX — Thousands of fans waited hours in line Friday to get into Phoenix Comicon amid heightened security after an armed man was arrested inside.

Many fans took to social media to complain. Some claimed they waited more than two hours to get inside the Phoenix Convention Center, located near Third and Washington streets in downtown Phoenix.

Still in line 2 hours later! I don't even know off I'm close to getting in! #phxcc pic.twitter.com/bdh8iOm0KD

— Xin Zhao (@randomoaf) May 26, 2017

In line almost 2 hrs so far, BLOCKS still to go. Getting hot. No water. No j-johns, no seats…. ugh#phxcc2017 #thedeathofcomicon

— Readstoescape (@readstoescape) May 26, 2017

Several other accounts showed lines twisting around the block.

Lines stretching around convention center at 3rd & Washington #PhxCC pic.twitter.com/BdPQgrtxT1

— Parks And Cons (@ParksAndCons) May 26, 2017

One last line photo before my panel starts #Phxcc pic.twitter.com/g5UT0QlnGg

— Robert Warners (@LegionofSand) May 26, 2017

Several water tents were set up to give people waiting a little bit of relief. The National Weather Service expected the high to be about 94 degrees on Friday.

Thank you @downtownphoenix for setting up at water 💦 stand at #PHXCC 🖖🏽 pic.twitter.com/GjYEHKOfPV

— Bree 🛎🔑Boehlke (@BreeElizabeth) May 26, 2017

City of Phoenix employees are handing out water to people waiting at #PHXCC @PHXComicon #PHXCC2017 pic.twitter.com/W8GjOLrnF4

— City of Phoenix, AZ (@CityofPhoenixAZ) May 26, 2017

Phoenix Comicon said in a Facebook post it was also providing water bottles to people. The event added three lines for those without bags to reduce the wait to get in.

The event also offered refunds for fans who did not want to wait in line.

Comicon reduced the number of entry points to three on Friday after a man armed with four guns was arrested inside the event the day before.

Mathew Sterling, 31, was allegedly carrying the weapons to kill bad police officers. In an interview with police, Sterling said he was the Punisher, a popular comic book character who hurts people who do wrong.

Sterling was booked for one count of attempted murder, three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, wearing body armor during the commission of a felony, resisting arrest and carrying a weapon in a prohibited place.

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