Fans mob 'Twilight' mall event

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- A San Francisco publicity event for the new movie "Twilight" had to be canceled when thousands more fans than expected showed up, TMZ said.

MTV News said Monday's event was set up by the Hot Topic clothing chain, which promised the first 500 fans who arrived the chance to buy a "Twilight" Tour T-shirt and the opportunity to meet Robert Pattinson, the British actor who plays teen vampire Edward in the film based on Stephenie Meyer's best-selling novel. However, the event at the Stonestown Galleria was canceled when about 3,000 fans showed up and started pushing and shoving, TMZ reported.

"There was one security guy trying his best to control everyone, but soon there were more fans ... . Hot Topic and the mall should have organized this better," a user on the Twilight Lexicon Blog wrote of the incident. "I mean, come on, only 500 people were going to be allowed. I see why it turned into chaos. Everyone wanted to be part of the 500, including myself!"

"All those who pushed, shoved and disobeyed should be ashamed of themselves," another user added. "It is stuff like this that will continue to propagate the stigma of 'Twilight' fans as uncontrollable screaming girls. I feel sorry for those who tried to be on good behavior and were injured in the process."

MTV News said its calls to Hot Topic's corporate offices seeking comment were not returned by press time.