Matthew Ware was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery after allegedly pepper-spraying a patron over cellphone use at AMC Burbank 16 on Sept. 15. Two others reported irritation and received hospital treatment; Ware was released the next morning, ABC7 reported.
Joe Rodriguez, a moviegoer, said in a Reddit post that he had not heard an argument and that the phone appeared dimmed from his seat. He later told CBS Los Angeles that Ware first asked the patron to turn off the phone and the patron refused; CBS reported police said Ware then became upset and allegedly used the spray. Rodriguez said the movie initially kept playing and the theater offered refunds.
A post highlighted by KTLA drew more than 35,000 likes in 17 hours, with some commenters condemning the alleged spraying and others praising Ware for confronting phone use in theaters. AMC rules prohibit electronic-device use and disruptive behavior during films and tell patrons to alert staff. California law permits qualifying adults to possess and use aerosol tear-gas weapons for self-defense; use outside self-defense is a public offense. The sources cited do not say Ware was booked under that statute; police reported booking him on suspicion of misdemeanor battery.
