Hundreds Evacuated After Pepper Spray Incident at Everett Regal Cinemas

Hundreds of movie-goers were evacuated after pepper spray was released inside a theatre at the Regal Cinemas Everett Mall Stadium 16 Sunday Night. Fire crews were called to the movieplex shortly after 8pm to reports of something causing irritation to people inside the theatre. Everett Fire responded with multiple engines and aid crews. Hundreds of people were evacuated out the back of the building. While the initial call had as many as 30 people reportedly bothered by the substance, when Everett Fire crews arrived, only a couple of people requested to be checked by medics.

Among those at the movies was Everett City Councilman Arlan Hatloe who was watching a show with family members and grandchildren. “We were just getting to the good part of the movie when the show stopped and the lights came up,” said Hatloe. “They told us there was something released inside one of the theatres and to go out the back.” Hatloe joined about 500 people in line who were receiving vouchers good for a future movie.

A theatre employee told me that it was his understanding a woman had a can of pepper spray in her purse and it was malfunctioning. Her husband took it out and put it into one of the trash cans causing the pepper spray to be released within the theatre and hallway. The employee then said he probably shouldn’t be talking to a reporter but did confirm there appeared to be no ill intent on the part of the people with the pepper spray. Fire crews opened all the doors to the theatres to air out the complex. Everett police collected the pepper spray canister and did take a report.