AMC vigilante arrested for pepper-spraying phone-using moviegoer

A 34-year-old Angeleno, Matthew Ware, was arrested on September 15 after allegedly pepper-spraying a fellow moviegoer at an AMC Burbank screening of The Uprising, reports KTLA. The incident took place around 5:30 P.M. when Ware allegedly sprayed the victim roughly 40 minutes into the film. Two other viewers were taken to the hospital for exposure to the aerosol spray, according to The L.A.

Times. Witnesses say the attacker fled the scene after spraying the victim, who apparently yelled out "I just got pepper sprayed." AMC staff did not respond to the incident for 15 minutes, despite the theater reportedly smelling strongly of pepper spray. Redditor Dry_Commission2937 described the experience as "definitely the most bizarre experience I’ve had during my time as an A-Lister."

AMC encourages moviegoers to report disruptive behavior to staff, but notes that overly strict enforcement of phone usage rules can lead to dangerous situations.