A screening of the movie Joker was evacuated in Paris over the weekend after a man allegedly yelled "Allahu Akbar," terrifying moviegoers.
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Le Parisien - via NME - reports the film was interrupted when a patron stood up and yelled the Arabic phrase, which means "God is greatest".
A patron of The Grand Rex cinema told the French newspaper some audience members immediately attempted to flee.
"It was total panic," he said.
"People jumped over seats and women fell to the ground in the aisles."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the director of The Grand Rex said the suspect and an accomplice were attempting to rob movie goers by creating a panic which would see belongings left behind.
"Apparently they had already used the same tactic once on a train,” the director said.
The main suspect initally escaped apprehension by a security guard, but was later arrested by Paris police.
Earlier this month, US moviegoers fled another Joker screening amid fears of violence after an intoxicated man reportedly began spitting and applauding on-screen killings.
Filmmaker Todd Phillips' Joker origin story has been accused of promoting gun violence, with concerns the central character's murderous acts could inspire violence.
In September, it was revealed the US military had warned service members about the potential for a mass shooting similar to the one that took place during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises in 2012.
The man who opened fire in the Aurora cinema was allegedly inspired by the Joker character.
Newshub.
