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 ...
“Why is the sprayee referred to as ‘they’?”
Psychologically deranged, perhaps?
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