Crime & Safety

Teen Charged in Leaf Blower Prank that Incited Panic in Newport Beach Theater

An 18-year-old man faces three misdemeanor charges in a theater prank that left three people injured.

An 18-year-old man was charged Thursday with three misdemeanors for an August stunt in which he allegedly entered a Fashion Island movie theater and turned on a leaf blower, sending movie goers running in terror in the wake of high profile mass shootings.

Colin Hunter Davis of Newport Beach has been charged with three misdemeanor counts of participating in a rout and unlawful assembly, disturbing the peace, and trespassing to injure property. If convicted, he faces a year in jail.

In August, Davis entered the Edwards Big Newport 6 through an emergency exit door of a theater screening a thriller movie filled with moviegoers, according to the orange County District Attorney’s Office. That’s when he allegedly turned on the leaf blower, sending a crowd of moviegoers screaming and scattering in fear.

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Several theater patrons suffered minor injuries including a broken toe and pain from being knocked to the ground.

Photo: Shutterstock

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