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."
” but if Reeves didn’t have a gun,
maybe he would have ended up injured or
worse from an assault.”
Way to go, assuming the worst in the victim. The texting happened before the movie started.
This is about a control freek used to getting his butt kissed. The cop sought a confrontation, and returned to it. He started it, then ended it. This is not Zimmerman. But I just love watching Team Blue trying to make excuses for this murderer. It shows their bias as they assume anything they can to explain why he ‘had’ to use deadly force.
” Never bring a cellphone to a gun fight.”
Never bring a gun to an argument it you can’t control your anger.
You better check the FCC laws regarding a jammer. Federal crime.
” So you feel justified using an illegal
device which interferes with everything
including emergency communications
just so the 1% chance of someone
bothering you?
yeah there are a lot of assholes around all
right”
Eventually he’ll get caught with his toy and get a felony for it. That’s smart.
On the local radio they are reports from his coworkers at Busch Gardens about this guys anger issues.
” No real question: someone had no
manners, no consideration for anyone
else around him”
This happened before the movie started, during the previews. The pig was not harmed in any way.
But Reeves is not a cop, he is a retired 71 year old.
I’ve already acknowledged that that it is illegal.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.