More Details Emerge about Cinemark Gun Incident

By West Kentucky Star Staff

PADUCAH, KY - Paducah Police will seek charges against an Illinois man who they say pulled a gun Saturday morning inside a movie theater at Cinemark Theater.Officer Dana Davie said officers were called around noon Saturday after a fight broke out inside the theater as the Star Trek Beyond movie was playing. 38-year-old John Hempen, of Paducah reportedly told Davie that he and his son were sitting behind another man, and his son was kicking the back of the man’s seat. Witnesses said the man, identified as 64-year-old John Grabinski of Ozark, IL, got up and cursed the youth, asking if he was going to continue kicking his seat.Hempen interceded and a fight broke out between the two men. As Hempen got the upper hand in the fight, witnesses said, Grabinski pulled a gun and said, “What the (expletive) are you going to do now.”Grabinski reportedly said he became disoriented after being hit, and that's when he pulled his gun. Officers said Grabinski told them he was not in fear for his life. Hempen told officers that Grabinski pushed him before the fight broke out.Others in the theater saw the gun, and began running for the exit. Davis said three men – theater employees and patrons – escorted Grabinski from the theater and were outside with him when officers arrived.The movie-goers who fled the theater when the fight broke out were allowed to return.Grabinski was barred from Cinemark property. No charges have yet been filed, but the McCracken County Attorney's Office is reviewing the case for possible charges.On the Net: