Basalt; Fight breaks out after midnight Batman showing

EL JEBEL, Colorado — The Joker’s lust for violence in the latest Batman movie apparently was too inspirational for three mid­valley teens, according to a police report.

Basalt police were called to Movieland at 2:20 a.m. Friday when a fight broke out after a special midnight premiere of “The Dark Night.” Three juveniles, two from Basalt and one from Carbondale, allegedly attacked a 23-year-old male from Carbondale after a verbal altercation at the show, the police report said.

The 23-year-old told officers he attended the movie with his mom and other family members. He asked a group of boys to be quiet because they were talking loudly and swearing during the show, according to the report.

After the show, a Basalt juvenile male confront­ed the 23-year-old in the parking lot and asked him, “What’s your problem?” police said. The juvenile allegedly pulled a liquor bottle from under his jacket and hit the man on the nose, the officer learned. The juvenile’s friends then allegedly tackled the victim and started punching and kicking him.

The fight broke up when someone yelled. The three juveniles attempted to flee but were pointed out to the responding officers. Basalt Police Chief Keith Ikeda said the juveniles were questioned and officers know where to find them, should further action be neces­sary.

The victim suffered a fractured nose and required stitches, which means he suffered serious bodily injury. That makes the offense a felony assault, should a charge be pursued, Ikeda said.