Posted on 01/13/2014 3:27:40 PM PST by Impala64ssa
An altercation between two couples at a Wesley Chapel movie theater Monday led to a shooting that left a man dead, authorities said.
The suspect was identified as Curtis Reeves, a retired Tampa police officer. He has been arrested on a charge of second-degree homicide.
According to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Chad and Nichole Oulson got into an argument with Reeves and his wife, who were sitting behind them during previews for the 1:20 p.m. showing of the war movie Lone Survivor.
Argument started over cell phone
Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said the argument began when Reeves became upset about noise the couple was making while texting on a cell phone. Nocco said Reeves asked Oulson to stop several times, and that at one point he got up and left the theater, then returned to his seat.
Nocco said Oulson then asked if Reeves had reported him to theater management for using his phone, and the two men began to argue.
At some point, Reeves shot Oulson in the chest, Nocco said. He said Nichole Oulson put her hand up to her husband's chest as the Reeves shot him, trying to stop the bullet.
Nocco said two off-duty nurses, who were also in the theater, began performing CPR and tried to save Oulson. Both victims were transported to local hospitals, but Chad Oulson died. His wife was treated for a gunshot wound to her hand, authorities said.
An off-duty Sumter County deputy was inside the theater at the time, Nocco said. Authorities said the deputy secured the gun and held Reeves until deputies arrived and took him into custody, authorities said. No other injuries were reported.
"The suspected decides to pull out a .380 (handgun), and he shoots the victim," Sheriff Chris Nocco said. "It's absolutely crazy that it would rise to this level of (violence) over somebody texting at a movie theater."
Theater evacuated after shooting
About 25 people were in the theater at the time of the shooting. The theater was evacuated, closed and cordoned off. Deputies and other law enforcement personnel converged on the scene.
Grove 16 is located off Interstate 75 and State Road 54 at 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd. It includes a restaurant theater called the CineBisto, but it isn't clear where in the building the shooting took place.
"Everybody is paranoid, scared, because a movie theater should be a safe place where people should be able to go out and enjoy themselves," Nocco said. "But what America has seen over the last couple of years is that movie theaters have become dangerous places where injuries occur."
According to Tampa Police, Reeves retired from the department on September 30, 1993 as a Captain. A TPD spokesperson said he was instrumental in establishing the department's first Tactical Response Team.
"We are not aware of any contact with the department since his departure more than 20 years ago," the statement said.
Unlike the mass shooting that occurred inside a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., in 2012, this was an isolated incident stemming from an argument between two couples.
Cobb Theatres released the following statement Monday afternoon:
"We are deeply saddened by the events that occurred earlier today, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. The theatre is currently closed, and we are actively working with the sheriff’s office on this investigation. This was an isolated altercation between two guests that escalated unexpectedly. The safety, security and comfort of our guests and team members are always our top priorities, and we are truly heartbroken by this incident."
I don’t think they’ll touch this one.
“Retired cop” is one of the elite people that they think is OK to have guns.
Stand your ground isn’t justification to start blazing away. Really all it does is remove the requirement to retreat before using deadly force.
You still have to have justification for deadly force. So the question is whether a reasonable person would believe their life was in imminent danger from having popcorn thrown in their face.
Popcorn is thrown in his face, he’s taken by surprise, can’t see...who knows what’s coming next?
Two questions:
1. Why did Oulson throw popcorn at Reeves?
2. How does a three year old read text messages?
“1. Why did Oulson throw popcorn at Reeves? “
Because they were having an argument and he made a bad decision.
The real question is how did two adults let this situation get so far out of hand?
“2. How does a three year old read text messages?”
By picking up a phone and looking at the screen.
Really? A three year old has a cell phone and is reading text messages from Daddy.
“Really? A three year old has a cell phone and is reading text messages from Daddy.”
Some parents actually do give their little ones phones or perhaps he was texting to a tablet. And yes some 3 yr olds can read basic words, like mom, or dad.
Why are you making 3 yr old child of a homocide victim into a potential criminal? Seriously does it really matter who the heck he was texting.
Lots of people use their cell phone during movies. yes, its annoying but it certainly isn’t worth shooting someone over. Move to a different seat or just wait a few minutes and the guy will probably stop.
I’d imagine a full blown argument is a good deal more distracting that some guy texting in the row aheadh of you.
I never implied this. It is deceitful and unprincipled to assign such a description to my skepticism that Daddy is sending important text messages to a three year old while in a movie theater.
Lots of people use their cell phone during movies.
An apologist for self-absorbed, social media addicts whose behavior interferes with paying patrons. Alrighty then.
” It is deceitful and unprincipled to assign such a description to my skepticism that Daddy is sending important text messages to a three year old while in a movie theater.”
nonsense, he’s sending a txt. I’m sure anything from Daddy is important to a 3 yr old. Especially in this case where its the last communication she’ll ever have with her father.
Who cares why he was sending a txt. Sure txting during the previews is rude. Not nearly as rude as a bullet to the chest.
Kind a conundrum isn't it? It probably was, in fact, the most import text he will ever have sent her.
Of course, if he hadn't sent it, she could still be waiting for that most important text.
Hopefully he died doing what he loved.
Texterrific Daddy committed assault and battery when he hit Curtis in the face at close range with a hurled object. Of course, you are free to continue apologies for self-absorbed social media addicts.
You have driven home the most important point of this incredibly sad story. Thanks for sharing your wisdom.
You bootlickers are amazing.
Just because this guy is an ex-cop you will excuse anything whatsoever. There are multiple witnesses, one of which is a cop. The guy was arrested on the spot. He has been charged with 2nd degree MURDER and yet you still make excuses.
Murder for a text?
how Christian of you
No real question: someone had no manners, no consideration for anyone else around him; someone who was such a jerk he couldn't even understand the rudeness of his actions when pointed out.
Perhaps it is your idea of proper comportment in public to act any idiotic way you want and force those around you who are disturbed to confront you and challenge you to stop it. AND THEN get all up in their face when they dare do so.
And don't even try to do something stupid like imply my statement above means I approve of shooting someone over boorish manners; I don't so don't even go there.
Perhaps the reason you think there is a "real question" why this happened is because you are one of those people like the obnoxious dead guy.
So murder is now the justifed response for texting during previews?
Jeez what do they get if they fart.
but you are excusing murder for boorish behavior.
Murder
Just because this guy is an ex-cop.
You resort to ad hominem attacks and name-calling when you've lost all sense of rational discussion. No need to sink to drama queen status. We'll forgive you and allow you to try again.
.... so other than that, how was the movie?
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