Burbank police arrested a Los Angeles man on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, after he allegedly pepper-sprayed another moviegoer at an AMC 16 theater. The incident occurred during a screening of the film "The Uprising" following a dispute over cellphone use.
Authorities identified the suspect as Matthew Ware, 34, who was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor battery. According to the Los Angeles Times, Ware was booked into the Burbank Jail and released the following morning, Wednesday, September 16, 2026.
Witnesses reported that the confrontation began approximately 40 minutes into the movie. Joe Rodriguez, an audience member, told CBS News that the alleged victim was scrolling on a phone with the screen brightness turned down. According to Rodriguez, another man approached and asked the victim to turn the device off; when the victim refused, the man deployed the pepper spray.
Burbank police were called to the scene at approximately 5:30 p.m. after receiving reports of the aerosol spray being used. At least two theater attendees were transported to a hospital for treatment due to pepper spray exposure. Following the incident, AMC offered refunds to all patrons who were in the theater at the time.
The event involves how local law enforcement and private businesses handle disagreements that escalate into physical battery. Following his release on Wednesday, Ware's next steps involve the legal process for the misdemeanor battery charge.