Ohio man assaulted theater staff and security during showing of “Joker”
BEAVERCREEK OH October 17 2019 — A man accused of assaulting movie theater staff during a showing of “Joker” in Beavercreek is facing misdemeanor charges.
Shane Mathew Christopher was charged with assault and disorderly conduct, according to an incident report.
He is scheduled to appear in Fairborn Municipal Court Tuesday morning.
Officers responded to the Cinemark at The Greene around 8:45 p.m. Friday after two staff members reported being assaulted.
Management and security were summoned to the theater during the 7:05 p.m. showing of “Joker” after Christopher ignored other moviegoers’ requests for him to put his phone away, according to the report.
He put his phone away once theater staff spoke to him, but then got his phone out again when they walked away.
When the manager and theater security approach Christopher again, he said “[expletive] you, I’m leaving,” and hit the manager, according to the report.
The security guard tried to bring Christopher to the ground, but he resisted.
As the security guard attempted to gain control, Christopher hit him, cutting the guard’s face, according to the report.
Another patron in the movie theater helped the manager and guard get Christopher under control and placed in handcuffs while they waited for police.
While an officer was talking to Christopher, he noted a strong smell of alcohol coming from him and that Christopher was slurring his words.
When asked for his name, Christopher said “The Joker,” according to the report.
He also refused to stand up and told an officer to “be a man and pick me up yourself,” according to police.
Once in a police cruiser, Christopher requested a medic.
He was taken to Kettering Medical Center, where he continued to refuse to follow orders and was verbally abusive to hospital staff, according to the report.
The incident resulted in a tense moment for other moviegoers.
Kellee Crossley of Xenia at the screening and said her daughter heard a man say, “Dude, you brought a gun,” before tackling him.
“Right at this intense part of the movie, this dude stands up randomly and this guy several seats away literally comes flying down and tackles him to the ground,” Crossley said. “It all just happened so quickly.”
WHIO
