Pepper Spray Dispute at Burbank Cinema Sends Bystanders to Hospital

BURBANK, Calif. — A cellphone dispute inside the AMC Burbank 16 ended with a Los Angeles man facing criminal charges after allegedly using pepper spray on another patron. The confrontation took place at the prominent multi-screen complex in downtown Burbank, which is frequently among the highest-grossing theaters in the United States.

According to witnesses, the disagreement began when a patron refused to stop using their cellphone during a film screening. A moviegoer in an adjacent seat heard the distinct hissing sound of an aerosol canister in the dark theater, followed immediately by screams that someone had been pepper-sprayed.

The theater was evacuated as police were dispatched. Officers found Matthew Ware, 34, of Los Angeles, in the lobby, where he was detained and handcuffed. At the time of his arrest, Ware was wearing cargo shorts and a black T-shirt promoting “Terrifier,” a popular contemporary horror movie franchise.

Burbank police arrested Ware and booked him into the Burbank Jail on a misdemeanor battery charge. Jail records indicate that he was released the following morning on bond. Burbank police have not released further details on whether additional charges will be filed given the injuries sustained by bystanders.

The target of the spray was the primary victim, but the enclosed, air-conditioned environment allowed the chemical agent to disperse rapidly through the air. Oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray, commonly known as pepper spray, causes acute inflammatory reactions, including involuntary eye closure, severe burning pain, temporary blindness, and respiratory distress. At least two other bystanders who were not involved in the initial dispute required emergency medical treatment and were transported to a local hospital for exposure.

California Penal Code Section 22810 permits citizens to possess defense sprays containing up to 2.5 ounces of active ingredients, provided the sprays are used solely in self-defense. Pepper spray is legal for citizens to purchase and carry for self-defense purposes, but its offensive use in non-threatening situations carries severe legal consequences. Using the spray to resolve a verbal argument or enforce etiquette constitutes misdemeanor battery under Penal Code Section 242.

A misdemeanor battery conviction in California carries a maximum penalty of six months in county jail and a fine of up to $2,000. The strict legal boundaries governing self-defense chemical agents have drawn attention as disputes between distracted moviegoers and patrons demanding silence escalate in public exhibition spaces during the streaming era.

Major theater chains, including AMC Theatres, have long maintained strict policies prohibiting cellphone use during screenings. AMC displays pre-show public service announcements warning patrons that texting or talking on phones during a movie ruins the experience for others and can result in ejection from the theater without a refund. Enforcement typically relies on patrons reporting the behavior to theater staff, who are trained to handle such situations, rather than taking independent action.

On social media platforms, the Burbank arrest polarized users and reignited a fierce national debate among cinema enthusiasts over theater decorum and the appropriate response to disruptive behavior. Many condemned the use of chemical weapons over a minor annoyance, while others expressed frustration with the lack of official enforcement regarding theater disturbances, noting that excessive screen brightness and texting have made the theatrical experience increasingly frustrating.

The escalation of theater etiquette disputes into physical violence is not without precedent. In 2014, in Wesley Chapel, Florida, retired police officer Curtis Reeves shot and killed Chad Oulson inside a movie theater after a heated argument over Oulson’s cellphone use during previews. Reeves claimed self-defense and was ultimately acquitted of second-degree murder in 2022. The case remains a prominent example of how minor arguments over digital distractions in cinemas can turn catastrophic.