When Westlake police officer Jeremiah Bullins spotted Scott A. Smith in an empty movie theater at Regal Cinema, Smith was in the very back row, in the middle seat. A waist pack sat at his feet.

Bullins, who was in uniform but working off-duty as security for Regal Cinema, had been suspicious of Smith after being alerted about him and his waist pack by a Regal Cinema employee. He approached Smith, and asked to search the waist pack. Smith agreed.

With that, a potential tragedy was averted as Smith was arrested on weapons charges.

"It could have been a disaster," Westlake Police Lieutenant Ray Arcuri said Tuesday. "Where (Smith) was, once he'd gotten started (shooting), there would have been multiple victims."

Check out the latest from the incident:

Guns, 'Thousands' of bullets seized from home of Regal Cinema suspect

POLL: How can movie theater shootings be prevented?

Regal Cinema employee, off-duty Westlake police officer may have prevented tragedy

Regal Cinema suspect had gun, knives, 'survival equipment' in bag

Regal Cinema suspect Scott A. Smith described by neighbors as 'quiet'