Ex-Cop Named as Suspect in Fatal Florida Movie Theater Shooting
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."
Former Dog Shooter?
This will not play well with the Leftist narrative that “only those who are trained, such as law enforcement, should have guns.”
Being a Cop, I’m sure his motives were pure.
So, just a SWAT operation?
It is time to ban cellphones in theaters, restaurants, etc.
Cops don’t like to have their authoritah challeneged.
But why? The shooter was a member of the class the grabbers say are the only ones qualified to have guns, he was retired law enforcement.
“It’s absolutely crazy that it would rise to this level of (violence) over somebody texting at a movie theater.”
The only meaningful difference between this shooting and some recent police shootings is that the cop was retired. The altercation got “hot” and the cop “felt threatened”. Case closed.
Aren’t retired officers the only class class allowed to carry concealed nationwide?
The state will have a nice retirement home for him, full of adoring fans.
Nocco is an idiot.
APf
“This was an isolated altercation between two guests that escalated unexpectedly.”
There’s that word again!
No, you don't understand. If a trained professional can react in this manner, imagine how much worse it would be if one of us plebes were in his position. If the roles had been reversed, I'm sure MANY, MANY more people would have been killed.
See? Simple leftist spin.
Well, at least one rude texter won’t be bothering anyone else soon.
Aand at least the officer was safe and sound.
For once, I AM surprised.
Time for a twinkie defense. The cellphone made him do it. Involuntary manslaughter at worse.
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.
A lot can happen between Oulson asking if Reeves reported him and Oulson getting shot. Oulson sounds like an inconsiderate jerk. Reeves reporting him to the management might have set him off to assault Reeves. Reeves retired from the police 20 years ago, so he is not likely a young man. This story is cast as an anti-gun handwringer about a senseless shooting, but if Reeves didn't have a gun, maybe he would have ended up injured or worse from an assault.
No, they're going to spin the CCW angle of the story. It's almost certain he had one.
Not good.
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