Drive-In Cancels Screenings After Brawl

Fearing a repeat of a Friday night brawl that led to the wounding of an 18-year-old suspected gang member, the manager of a Westminster drive-in theater Saturday canceled the weekend showings of a newly released movie that depicts Latino gang life in Los Angeles.

“We will not be playing it until further notice,” said Joan Ruth, manager of the Hi-Way Drive-In.

The showing of “Angel Town,” the story of a former kick boxer who moves in with a Latino family living in the middle of a gang-infested neighborhood, was marred by a brawl that involved as many as 100 gang members.

As the film was playing on the large outdoor screen, rival gang members wielding baseball bats began smashing car windows and fighting with each other, Lt. Robert Burnett said.

The shooting occurred near the entrance of the drive-in and the violence spilled out to the street, police said. Jesus Martinez Orjel was wounded in the chest by a small-caliber handgun, Burnett said. Martinez was taken to UC Irvine Medical Center, where he was listed in stable condition.