Norwalk Deputies Arrest Moviegoer Threatening to 'Go Off Like in Colorado'

OUTSIDE LOS ANGELES, CA -- Just a few days after the shooting massacre in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo. that left 12 people dead and 59 wounded, deputies from the Norwalk Sheriff's Station arrested a 52-year-old man inside a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" after he allegedly began yelling about a gun and threatening to "go off like in Colorado."

The incident occurred about 5:15 p.m. July 22 at the AMC Norwalk 20 Theatre located at 12300 E. Civic Center Dr., according to Captain Mike Parker of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department.  

A movie patron had approached theatre security stating that he was fearful of a moviegoer inside a showing of latest Batman flick because he was shouting about a gun and Colorado. 

While the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station was alerted of the disturbance, a security officer went inside the movie theatre and spotted the suspect wearing a backpack while on his knees in the second row of seats, Parker said. 

Arriving deputies immediately detained the suspect, who was later identified as Clark Tabor, the captain said. No weapons were found during the search of his person, the theater, and the surrounding area. There were also no guns found at the suspect’s residence, Parker added.

Parker said several witnesses confirmed that the suspect had first shouted that the movie had not yet started, then he allegedly held his cell phone in the air and yelled “Does anyone have a gun?” and “I should go off like in Colorado.” 

Witnesses told deputies that they feared the suspect was going to remove a gun from his backpack and shoot them, according to the sheriff's station. 

“A witness saw and heard strange activity and reported it immediately, said Captain Pat Maxwell of the Norwalk Sheriff’s Station. “This is exactly the kind of help law enforcement needs to help protect the public. 'If You See Something, Say Something.’ The greatest deterrent to crime is often a phone call to law enforcement by a person who sees something that just doesn't look right.” 

Tabor was arrested for making criminal threats, and is being held in the Los Angeles County Men’s Central Jail on $50,000.00 bail plus unrelated warrants. He is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, July 24.  

since the mass shooting at a midnight showing of the new Batman movie in Colo. on the evening of July 20.

The decision to increase patrols near Southland movie theaters was made just hours after the alleged gunman, James Holmes -- a 24-year-old UC Riverside graduate whose parents live the San Diego County community of Rancho Penasquitos -- opened fire in the Century Aurora 16 movie theater. The gunman wore what appeared to be a bullet-proof vest and riot-type and was armed with three weapons. He was taken into custody in the theater's parking lot shortly after the gunfire broke out.

Appearing dazed and possibly medicated, Holmes made his first public appearance in court on Monday, and the judge gave prosecutors a week to formally charge him. 

On Friday afternoon, AMC Theatres, the country's second-largest movie chain, from its theaters in response to the Aurora shootings. 

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