Broadway shows stopped when motorcycle backfiring in Times Square was mistaken for active shooter.

Widespread panic broke out in Times Square last night when a motorcycle backfired and people mistook it for a bomb or an active shooter.

Eyewitnesses said people stormed a nearby theatre, stopping a performance of "To Kill a Mockingbird" and sending theatre patrons into a panic. People even hid in bathrooms out of fear, according to one witness whose tweets are posted below.

Police were able to calm people down on the scene within five minutes, according to New York Magazine.