When a father took on a group of boisterous teenagers making mischief in a movie theater, employees not only failed to stop the teen's antics, they also failed to come to the man's aid when he and his daughter where attacked by them in retaliation, as reported by the Times Union. R.F. was punched and kicked several times by the group of teenagers, and when his daughter tried to aid her father, she was punched as well. R.F., of Glenville, has now filed a personal injury lawsuit in Schenectady County Supreme Court.
The attack took place on June 29 in the Bow Tie Cinemas Movieland 6. The suit contends that the theater failed to provide a safe environment for moviegoers. Several of the teens have already admitted to taking part in the attack, which was allegedly prompted by a single snap of R.F.'s fingers in an attempt to have the teens mind their manners. According to the suit R.F., 46, was "approached, accosted and made subject to certain acts of physical and verbal violence" while he sat with his twin 15 year-old daughters watching a late show of the movie "White House Down."
All of the teens are from Schenectady except for one who lives in Niskayuna. Each is named, alongside either their parents or legal guardians, as defendants in the civil suit. Besides these six, there are several other defendants listed in the suit as Jane Does or John Does.
The suit claim that Bow Tie Cinemas was negligent in serving movie patrons as they failed to have any security, or employees, in the movie theater to make sure that it was a safe environment. Because they failed to supervise, control, or monitor the theater, R.F. was left battered. He now suffers serious and permanent physical and personal injuries, as well as severe mental and emotional anguish.
A "substantial sum of money" is sought from each defendant. Due to the "reckless, intentional and wanton acts" recounted in the suit, punitive damages are also sought from each defendant. According to the prosecution, R.F. had snapped his fingers – and didn't utter a word – in an effort to get the teens to stop yelling and running up and down in the aisles. However, when the film was over, one of the teens came up behind R.F. and punched him on the head. Then a second assailant hit him. After that, the group attacked.
As the teens punched and kicked R.F., one of his daughter stepped in to help. She was punched and one of the attackers took her cell phone. R.F. was left with a concussion, a broken nose, and an injury to his eye; he now has vision issues. No one, other than R.F.'s daughter, came to his aid in the movie theater.
Several of the teens pled guilty to second-degree assault earlier this year.