Violence Disrupts Movie Opening

The opening of the gritty gang movie “American Me” on Friday was marred by reports of scattered violence at theaters, including the arrest of 11 suspected gang members after a fight at a theater in Azusa, police said Saturday.

However, no injuries were reported at any of the theaters showing the film, police said.

In Azusa, police arrested 11 young men, ranging in age from 13 to 19, after a fight outside the Edwards Foothill multiplex following the 9 p.m. screening, Azusa Police Sgt. George Brown said. All but three were released to their parents’ custody.

Officers emptied the Pacific Van Nuys Drive-In at 9:10 p.m. after security guards saw what appeared to be flashes of gunfire, Los Angeles Police Sgt. Gail Tam said. But police found no victims or evidence of gunfire and later reopened the drive-in, Tam said.

Police also reported hearing gunfire or firecrackers at the United Artist Cinema in North Hollywood, officials said.

Actor-director Edward James Olmos has been appearing recently in a series of screenings to a variety of community groups to underscore the film’s strong anti-violence message.