MOVIES - Oct. 16, 1990

Gibson Throws a Punch: No, it wasn’t a scene from the making of “Lethal Weapon 3.” But, Mel Gibson, star of “Lethal Weapon” and “Lethal Weapon 2,” used something potentially lethal--his hand--and smashed the camera of a Modesto photographer who refused to quit taking pictures of the actor. Gibson was in the parking lot of a Modesto nightclub when free-lance photographer Richard Reeves began snapping photos of him Saturday night. When Reeves ignored a request to stop, Gibson grabbed the 35mm camera and smashed it to the ground. Then, the actor apologized and said he would pay for the damaged equipment, valued at $650. Gibson reportedly was in Modesto to buy cattle for his Montana ranch.