SAN DIEGO, Calif. -- A male suspect was shot by police in a San Diego movie theater Saturday following a domestic dispute.
Police said the suspect had been hiding from authorities after publicly threatening his girlfriend in the parking a restaurant around 2:30 p.m.
Police said the couple has a history of domestic violence.
"When she was caught from behind by her boyfriend for a second time,” Capt. Terry McManus with San Diego police said. “At this point, he was armed with what's described as a hand gun."
However, the man took off from the restaurant parking lot before police arrived. About an hour later, officers learned he was inside Reading Cinemas.
Police began searching the theater room by room until they found him.
Two movie-goers who were watching “Les Miserable” described police coming into their theater room.
"They walked around, and they looked through the aisles and then they kicked all the curtains, looking for somebody hiding… ,” one person said. “Then, as they started to exit. That's, I guess, when the shots started and then we all hit the floor and then ran for the exit."
Police said one officer fired his gun after the suspect appeared to reach for his gun. The man, who has not been identified, was shot in his torso.
The suspect was taken to the hospital and is expected to survive.
