I have posted about this on other threads.
My theory...
1. this was a very young crowd. Not many people over 50 go to a Midnite movie, let alone Batman.
2. we have taught young people not to have a sense of morality and decent, civilized behaviors in our society( thug clothes, moral realtivism, rap music , calling your teacher a MF, denouncing the ethical , moral values of religious teachings, etc.)
3. Our society is battling the most clear rights to ‘stand your ground.”(ie Zimmerman case)
4. Young people are taught: run away, wait for police, get on your cell phone and DON’T GET INVOLVED. Remember years ago even the subway guy that shot at thugs on the subway? he had hell to pay for defending himself.
Your points about the situation has merit..tear gas, darkness, loud movie, costumes, etc.
but I bet if this was a matinee in Georgia, Fl or KY..and there were over age 50 guys or veterans, they might have reacted differently..as the case in the cafe where an older man shot at and chased out two would be thugs.
If you are referring to Sam Williams, he was armed.