A man accused of threatening a “shooting attack” at the Danvers movie theater sang rap lyrics, according to an attorney

A man accused of threatening to “bomb” a crowded Danvers movie theater over the weekend was probably singing the lyrics to a rap song, his attorney argued in court Monday.

Ryan Muldoon, 34, of Lynn, was charged Monday in Salem District Court with assault with a dangerous weapon, threatening to commit a crime and disturbing the peace. A plea of ​​innocence was filed on his behalf.

Officers who arrived at the AMC Theater in the Liberty Tree Mall at 100 Independence Way just after 3 p.m. learned that Muldoon had allegedly threatened at least two other patrons at a theater, according to the Danvers Police Department.

Essex County Prosecutor Brittney Fraine told the court that Muldoon threatened at least two victims and said he was going to “shoot up the place (the theater).”

The victims also told police that shortly after they sat down in the hall, they heard Muldoon threatening: “I’m going to shoot you all in the head,” Fraine said.

When Muldoon was taken into custody, police said he “did not possess a firearm or other weapon.”

Muldoon’s attorney argued that an assault charge “requires more than one statement” and told the judge that Muldoon was wearing headphones and rapping song lyrics before the film began.

“The attack part is nothing more than a statement. I read the police report. I make no threatening gestures, no threatening behavior, no eye contact with a threatening look,” Muldoon’s lawyer told the court. “It’s just a statement. That alone is not enough to constitute an attack with a dangerous weapon. No weapon was found on him and no weapon was found near where he was sitting.”

Fraine called Muldoon’s comments a “violent threat to an open theater” and noted that “visibly distraught” families left the theater. She also argued that his statements were not protected by the First Amendment.

Muldoon’s lawyer also argued that it was not her client who disturbed the peace, but rather that the police turned on the lights and escorted him out of the theater, which angered moviegoers.

The police response came on a weekend that saw the premiere of the highly anticipated films “Wicked” and “Gladiator II.” A photo shared by an audience member with Boston 25 News showed several police cruisers parked outside the theater.

AMC is working closely with the Danvers Police Department in the investigation of the incident.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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