Coverage dated September 18, 2026 to September 21, 2026

Man arrested for pepper spraying cell phone user in movie theater, police say

Headline from The Oregonian, on the newest of 2 developments

A witness said the incident occurred about 40 minutes into the film.

The Oregonian's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

Developments in this update

2 dated developments, oldest first, newest marked. Each is named by one outlet's own headline; open its reports to see every outlet that covered it.

  1. Man arrested in alleged California theater pepper-spray incident gets online support

    Headline from MyStateline ·

  2. Newest

    Man arrested for pepper spraying cell phone user in movie theater, police say

    Headline from The Oregonian ·

1 report not tied to one development ·

Reports & sources

24 articles, oldest first.

  1. KTLA Los Angeles

    Man arrested for allegedly pepper-spraying moviegoer over cellphone use at Burbank theater (opens KTLA Los Angeles)

    Published

    KTLA Los Angeles's feed description

    A man was arrested for allegedly pepper-spraying someone who was using their cellphone during a movie screening at a Burbank theater. Burbank police identified the suspect as Matthew Ware, 34, of Los Angeles. The Sept. 15 incident occurred at AMC Burbank 16 at 125 E. Palm Ave. around 5:30 p.m.

  2. KTLA Los Angeles

    Social media users support man after alleged Burbank movie theater pepper-spray incident (opens KTLA Los Angeles)

    Published

    KTLA Los Angeles's feed description

    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.

  3. New York Post

    Miffed moviegoer unleashes pepper spray attack on cellphone user at Burbank theater (opens New York Post)

    Published

    New York Post's feed description

    Police arrested a man on Tuesday at AMC Burbank 16 after he viciously pepper-sprayed a man who had his phone out during a showing of the new Andrew Garfield movie, Uprising.

  4. WGN Chicago

    Man arrested in alleged California theater pepper-spray incident gets online support (opens WGN Chicago)

    Published

    WGN Chicago's feed description

    (KTLA) — 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.

  5. Los Angeles Times

    Man arrested after allegedly pepper-spraying fellow filmgoer for using phone during movie (opens Los Angeles Times)

    Published

    Los Angeles Times's feed description

    A 34-year-old Los Angeles man was arrested after allegedly pepper-spraying a fellow moviegoer using a cellphone at a Burbank AMC theater, leaving at least two others needing hospital treatment.

  6. ABC 7 Los Angeles

    Man arrested for allegedly pepper-spraying moviegoer who used cellphone at Burbank theater (opens ABC 7 Los Angeles)

    Published

    ABC 7 Los Angeles's feed description

    A man was arrested and booked for allegedly pepper-spraying a patron who was using a cellphone during a movie in Burbank, authorities said.

  7. NBC News

    Pepper spray confrontation at AMC reignites frustration over phone use in theaters (opens NBC News)

    Published

    NBC News's feed description

    A man arrested for allegedly pepper-spraying a cellphone user at a movie theater has emerged as a controversial figure among moviegoers, with some branding him a “hero” and others condemning the act.

  8. The Oregonian

    Man arrested for pepper spraying cell phone user in movie theater, police say (opens The Oregonian)

    Published

    The Oregonian's feed description

    A witness said the incident occurred about 40 minutes into the film.

  9. The Guardian

    Moviegoer using phone during film pepper-sprayed in LA, police say (opens The Guardian)

    Published

    The Guardian's feed description

    California man charged with misdemeanor battery in Burbank over incident sending three patrons to hospital A 34-year-old man from California has been arrested after allegedly pepper-spraying a person at a movie theater who was using his cellphone during the film, according to authorities.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.

Man arrested for pepper spraying cell phone user in movie theater, police say | Since Then