I suspect it's not "Beautiful Downtown Burbank" any more.
Posted on 09/19/2026 8:42:38 AM PDT by BenLurkin
A man who was arrested for allegedly pepper-spraying a moviegoer at a SoCal theater because the moviegoer was on their phone is receiving strong support from the internet.
The incident unfolded at the AMC Burbank 16 at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 15.
The man, identified by the Burbank Police Department as 34-year-old Los Angeles resident Matthew Ware, is said to have pepper-sprayed a person who was using their cell phone “about 40 minutes into the movie,” according to a witness, who said he heard a “hissing sound” of an aerosol spray. It is believed that the film playing at the time was “The Uprising.”
Moments later, a person could be heard screaming that they were pepper-sprayed, and Ware was reportedly seen fleeing the theater right after.
The witness who spoke to KTLA said he called police, who found Ware in the theater lobby and arrested him. He was booked into the Burbank Jail for misdemeanor battery
...
Many social media accounts were quick to post about the incident...
“That person will not talk on the phone during a movie again.”
One other social media user called Ware “an icon walks among us in the San Fernando Valley,” while another suggested he get a free MoviePass for life.
“Free Pepper Spray Guy! People are pricks at the movies these days,” one Instagram user commented.
“Bet they won’t use their phones in a movie again.. good job, kid,” said another person.
A third individual summed up Ware’s alleged actions that, clearly, some consider extreme while others consider reasonable.
“[This is] a reminder to not use your cell phone during a movie,” they wrote.
(Excerpt) Read more at ktla.com ...
Dear FRiends,
We need your continuing support to keep FR funded. Your donations are our sole source of funding. No sugar daddies, no advertisers, no paid memberships, no commercial sales, no gimmicks, no tax subsidies. No spam, no pop-ups, no ad trackers.
If you enjoy using FR and agree it's a worthwhile endeavor, please consider making a contribution today:
Click here: to donate by Credit Card
Or here: to donate by PayPal
Or by mail to: Free Republic, LLC - PO Box 9771 - Fresno, CA 93794
Thank you very much and God bless you,
Jim
If the talker forced each patron to turn over to him their ticket fee, cost of gas to get there, etc, he'd be arrested and charged.
Yep.
We go to our local multi-plex and everyone we have ever met there has behaved in a civilized manner.
I remember a man at a drive in theater (remember those?) who had a screaming fit because the person parked in front of him had his foot on the brake and the brake light was constantly flashing on. He never got out of his car to confrontate the person in front of him.
As I went to the refreshments counter I tapped on the window and said some people behind were being bothered by it. I won’t say what they were doing though. No problems the rest of the night.
I’ll be 75 in a couple of months.
Check
Coming soon to a theater near you:
The Fall of the House with No Usher
I highly doubt they were merely scrolling.
Maybe recording the movie to put it online..yeah thats still a thing
ICWYDT...
The pepper sprayer should have instead pulled the fire alarm because someone using their phone in a theater should be for something so important that it required 911 response.
I agree. He should have used a 12-gauge. If you're sending a message, send it first class.
/S (for the humor impaired)
Obviously.
Dont use pepper spray. This situation calls for a 5-10 w laser. Go for the eyes and the little bastard won’t be going to the movies anymore.
Concert are another thing.
That’s when you have the theater throw the person out. Assault is a little extreme.
I can’t back this.
Last time I was around a loud phone user I started asking questions about the topic they were discussing. When they looked at me like I was nuts I told them “You’re talking loud enough for me to hear clearly... I assume that means you want me to be involved in the conversation. “
They stopped.
Same here. When I drive to the Oregon coast to visit family I stop in Redmond on my way to the super Walmart and stock up the RV. Clean, friendly, no diversity, plenty of parking. , well stocked aisles and fresh produce. I made the mistake of stopping at the one in Salem once.... What a dump.
Too far. I totally understand the feeling but too far. Get a manager or attendant involved, or ask to be refunded and leave. Its not worth the potential hassle, you can pick whatever battld you want, I believed this time he chose poorly.
OK, you have a decade on me.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.