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US Office star thanks security after man fires gun inside comedy venue

The US Office star Craig Robinson has thanked security and staff for helping people to safety after a man fired a gun inside a comedy club where he was set to perform.

Robinson, best known for playing Darryl Philbin in the American adaption of Ricky Gervais’s hit British comedy, shared a video on social media after The Comedy Zone in Charlotte, North Carolina, was evacuated.

The Comedy Zone thanked staff who “jumped into action” to get “everyone safely out of the building”.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police confirmed the shooting took place shortly after 9pm on Saturday. Officers said there were no injuries and the suspect was taken into custody.

In a message on Instagram shared on Sunday, Robinson said: “About last night….Thank you to the Comedy Zone security and staff for getting us to safety quickly.

“Thank you everyone for your outpouring of support and well wishes. Thank you CMPD [Charlotte-Mecklenburg police department] for swift action in apprehending the shooter.

“Hopefully he gets the help he needs. Thanks be to God no one was hurt. Please stay safe everyone.”

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Robinson, who is also known for comedy series Brooklyn Nine-Nine and films including Hot Tub Time Machine and This Is The End, shared an Instagram video on Saturday revealing that he and others had been taken to a nearby gig where the pop group Big Time Rush were performing.

“I’m safe,” he said in the video. “I’m cool. It was wild, I was in the green room and they’re like ‘everybody get out’. It was a moment for sure.”

Charlotte-Mecklenburg police released a statement about the shooting, saying: “Shortly after 9pm, a male subject entered an establishment at the 900 block of NC Music Factory Boulevard.

“He brandished a firearm inside the business, which was quickly evacuated.

“The subject then discharged his weapon. There were no injuries and the suspect was taken into custody.”