Deputies arrested a man on Sunday after he walked into a movie theater with an airsoft rifle and tactical vest, prompting evacuations, according to the Apple Valley Police Department.
According to the department’s report, deputies responded to the Cinemark, located at 18935 Bear Valley Road, around 4:19 p.m. for calls regarding a person entering the cinema wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a firearm.
Deputies arrived and evacuated the theater, soon finding the suspect with the airsoft rifle and vest.
Police identified the suspect as 35-year-old Byron DeShawn Murphy of Victorville, and found that he also had misdemeanor warrants.
Murphy was booked into the High Desert Detention Center, and police did not immediately say whether he had a bail posted.
“The Apple Valley Police Department would like to thank the public’s cooperation and assistance with the calm evacuation of the theater,” stated the department’s release.
Details are limited, it was not revealed in preliminary reports how long the evacuation lasted or if Murphy made any advances once he entered the theater.
The department asks that anyone with any information about this investigation contact Deputy Dominguez with Apple Valley Sheriff’s Station at 760-240-7400 or Sheriff’s Dispatch at 760-956-5001.
To remain anonymous, callers can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.
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