A man set off panic when he pulled a gun on a father and son during a screening of Star Trek Beyond at a Kentucky cinema. The boy was reportedly kicking the back of the man’s chair.
According to Paducah Police, a man got in an argument with the father and son pair at a local Cinemark theatre. He asked if the youth planned to continue kicking his seat. Witnesses told police that the father got the “upper hand” in the fight before the man pulled out his firearm.
“What the [expletive] are you going to do now,” the man reportedly said as he held his gun.
The man, who is from Illinois, did not fire the gun, however. He was escorted out of the theatre by three men, where he was met by police.
Patrons were allowed back into the theatre after the incident was over.
The man was not arrested, but police said they would seek charges after conducting an investigation. He was barred from the Cinemark property.
The incident was reminiscent of the 2014 killing of a Florida man who was texting his daughter during previews before the military drama, Lone Survivor.
Curtis Reeves, a 71-year-old retired police officer, shot and killed Chad Oulson, 43, after a fight broke out over the latter’s texting.
“Somebody throws popcorn. I’m now sure who threw the popcorn. And then bang, [Mr Oulson] was shot,” said Charles Cummings, who witnessed the encounter two seats away. “I can’t believe people would bring a gun to a movie.”
Reeves was charged with second-degree murder. After multiple delays, the trial – during which Reeves plans to invoke Florida’s “Stand Your Ground” law – is set for 2017.
