'Shutter Island' moviegoer stabbed in neck with meat thermometer after complaining about cellphone call

A dispute at a Lancaster movie theater during a screening of "Shutter Island" ended when a man, who had complained about someone nearby talking on a cellphone, was stabbed in the neck with a meat thermometer.

The incident occurred two weeks ago at the Cinemark 22 theater in Lancaster, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.

The theater was packed for a 9 p.m. Saturday screening of the Martin Scorsese horror movie when the victim complained about a woman near him who was using a cellphone during the show. She and two men with her left the movie theater. Two men returned a few minutes later and stabbed the victim, said sheriff's spokesman Steve Whitmore.

"It was vicious and cowardly attack," Whitmore said.

The victim, who was not identified, was hospitalized with serious injuries Two other moviegoers who came to the victim's aid were also were hurt during the fight, officials said.

The attackers are still at large. Anyone with information on the attack is asked to contact the Lancaster sheriff's station at (661) 948-8466.

-- Richard Winton

Comments

[Mike]

What a bunch on wimps. Get thos guys to me and I will show them how to fight. Serious guys. Fight like men -- not wimps. For that I think all of you should get serious time in prison where you will get the living hell kicked out of you and learn to live with boyfriends everyday. Wimps...

[Is There a Journalist in the House?]

"The attackers are still at large. Anyone with information on the attack is asked to contact the Lancaster sheriff's station at (661) 948-8466. -- Richard Winton"

A description of the suspects might help, if violating PC rules is not too much to ask.

Also, perhaps meat thermometers should be banned.

[DISGUSTED]

IF THEY NEED A LEAD, THEY SHOULD TRY THE AV UNIVERSITY, WHERE THEY ARE TRAINING PAROLEES IN CULINARY ARTS....IN THE CITY OF LANCASTER.

[Anne]

This is appalling, but all I can think is - who has a meat thermometer with them at a movie theater?? The article says the men left and returned a few minutes later, so I guess it could have been in their car? But ... why? So bizarre!

I hope the victim is recovering and doing okay. It's a shame that someone with the courage to speak up against others being inconsiderate ended up being attacked. The perpetrators are disgusting, and their jerk behavior is one of the reasons I no longer care to pay to see a movie in a theater. All that money spent, only to deal with rude people - some of whom will attack you for having a problem with it!

[SeanBoy]

I can only shake my head in resignation. This is the world we live in. Do you think it will get any better for your children?

[oakley]

Wow. Foodie rage...

[culprit]

Thanks for reminding me why I rent - er, ahem - borrow movies from the public library to watch in the comfort of my own home where I don't have to put up with idiots like this.

[Ronbo]

You know if this happened at a hip hop show we'd hear the music being blamed. If the people involved had been playing a violent video game, that would be touted as the cause.
But let it happen at a horror movie and nobody would make the (ridiculous) suggestion that the violence on-screen inspired violence in the audience. Quite a double standard.

[Ronbo]

This is why I carry a legal, six inch single bladed pocket knife. These cretins would have discovered you don't bring a thermometer to a knife fight!

[Roche]

Jail for life.

[Tornadoes28]

Why are there so many jerks in this country? Jeez, and why the heck is the moron carrying around a meat thermometer for. Damn wackos out there.

[Rokrik]

Thank god for netflix.

[Sam]

People talking or on phones at movies are clearly insulting society in general and everyone in the theatre. They are sociopaths and criminals who can't be reformed. If we citizens were to string up a few in front of the theaters that should work as a deterrent.

[Jeremy]

Was he done?

[fezco]

I think frequent movie goers need to pick up one of these suckers....
http://www.phonejammer.com

[meee]

No descriptions?

What's the point of this article without descriptions of the criminals?

[Nugent]

A sterling endorsment for the city of Lancaster.

[ginger]

THEY SHOULD HAVE USED A SPORK FROM KFC. ok couldnt help myself. this is terrible. cant even go to the movies w/out trouble. and ya, a description would be nice. although not to many people walk around with meat thermometers might be easy to spot

[Nugent]

I will be sure to never ever visit this particular city. What a disgrace. People on cell phones retaliating after being asked to turn them off at a "movie theater??" Place sounds like a jungle...

[angry cat]

What the hell is happening to our society? So now it's ok that an act of violence is justified because another person says that the world is not your personal living room? And this is in large part the fault of theater management, who do absolutely zip to enforce even a minimum of proper behavior in movie theaters INCLUDING TURNING OFF CELL PHONES. And the theater companies and studios wonder why people would rather stay home...

[American Mom]

Who the heck brings a meat thermometer to a movie theater?! Or were they so close to a store that they could buy one? This is insane!

[Jeff]

These crimes are getting less and less rare; almost medium rare now. Violence is abhorrent regardless of the medium. Hopefully the police will find and apprehend the cowards for a job well done.

[Cat55]

No description provided CUZ we all know what that would be ?????

[Mel]

Walmart is down the street.

I live in nearby Palmdale. The Antelope Valley is a dumping ground for convicts and Section 8. I can't wait until I move out of this hell hole.

[Rich Fephermann]

Why dont the theatres put in Phone Jammers? This is an ongoing problem that no one wants to deal with. The studios should pay for these because soon no one will venture to a theatre for the pleasure of seeing a movie on the big screen. I also suggest that pople start bringing flashlights to the theatres and shine them at the people with the cell phones during the movies.