Man Arrested for Pepper-Spraying Fellow Moviegoer in Burbank
The incident occurred during a screening at AMC Burbank 16 when the suspect allegedly targeted a patron using their phone.
A dispute over cellphone use during a movie screening escalated into a pepper spray attack at AMC Burbank 16 on Tuesday, leading to the arrest of Matthew Ware, 34, of Los Angeles. The incident took place about 40 minutes into a showing of "The Uprising."
Witnesses reported that Ware allegedly sprayed another moviegoer who had their phone out. After the alleged assault, Ware reportedly fled the theater but was pursued by other patrons. Police apprehended Ware in the lobby, and he was booked at the Burbank Jail on a misdemeanor battery charge.
One theatergoer, Joe Rodriguez, described the event as "the most bizarre thing I've ever seen happen at the movies." He stated that Ware initially attempted to address the phone user verbally before resorting to pepper spray when the individual refused to stop using their device.
"This grown man would resort to that," Rodriguez told CBS News. "They gave him the benefit of the doubt; he did try to use his words initially, but that’s just unacceptable."
First responders from the Burbank Fire Department were also present at the scene. Two individuals who experienced irritation from the pepper spray were treated at a local hospital. The theater offered refunds to all attendees following the incident.
AMC Burbank 16 is a popular cinema located in the downtown entertainment district of Burbank, known for providing what is described as a "premium moviegoing experience."