Woman shouts 'n-word' at Sparta 'Black Panther' screening

SPARTA — Angry patrons confronted an "extremely intoxicated" woman who shouted racial epithets, including "the n-word," Sunday during a screening of the hit movie "Black Panther."

The screening at New Vision Sparta Theatre was stopped after theatergoers shouted back at the woman, according to Sgt. John Lamon.

"I think the people in that movie theater acted appropriately," Lamon said. "Basically, they were not going to put up with that kind of nonsense."

Lamon said the woman was not yelling at anyone in particular. Police did not file charges, as only one person at the showing could identify the woman who yelled the slur.

Police say the witness declined to sign a complaint.

"She could have been arrested for a bias crime if she directed her comments at someone, especially a person of color, but that was not the case," Lamon said.

The woman was banned from the theater by management, and the rest of the audience was given vouchers to return at another time to see the film.

"We gave them advice to send her a certified letter not to trespass and to give us a copy," he said. "That way if she comes back, she cannot say she did not know, and she can be arrested for trespassing."

"Black Panther," which broke box-office records with an opening weekend gross of $215 million," features an African-American director and largely African-American cast.

Morris: Animal sanctuary sues rival for defamation, conspiring to steal its livestock

Weather: Why has it been so weirdly warm this February?

Movies: 'Black Panther' is here, and so, maybe, is a new day for Hollywood