Pepper spray confrontation at AMC reignites frustration over phone use in theaters
NBC News • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Matthew Ware, 34, was arrested in Burbank, California, for allegedly pepper-spraying a moviegoer using a cellphone during a screening, leading to misdemeanor battery charges and affecting two other patrons who required hospital treatment.
- The incident has sparked heated debate among moviegoers online, with some calling Ware a "hero" for enforcing theater etiquette, while others condemn his violent response.
- The altercation highlights ongoing tensions over phone use in theaters, a problem that has grown since pandemic restrictions eased and box office attendance increased, especially among younger audiences.
- Witness Joe Rodriguez described the event and noted Ware’s frustration stemmed from the phone user’s refusal to stop using the device despite being asked, but emphasized that the pepper-spraying was an extreme and harmful reaction.
- The episode reflects broader frustrations with declining movie theater etiquette, particularly in high-profile venues like Burbank 16, but also underscores the importance of choosing non-violent ways to address disruptive behavior.
