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."
Oh Hell!
That’s what they say about us old bikers!
The crotch rocket crowd will NEVER live to ride with us old effers.
LOL.
I use one of these: http://www.globalgadgetuk.com/rx90.html . Portable, lightweight, and shuts them down in under 30 seconds. If they behave and put their phone away or go outside the theater, I'll turn it off. Works great in theaters, libraries, restaurants, and classrooms.
Its also illegal.
Spot on.
The retired officer forgot his mantra. “I feared for my safety.” Then it would be cool. If he were on duty.
Texting can be fatal even if NOT driving.
Your thoughts are what I was thinking. I think there is more to the story than what’s being reported. The story, IMHO, is agenda (anti-gun) driven.
LOL!!
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
There were a lot of witnesses including an off duty cop. They got in an argument and the retired cop shot the guy.
murder, nothing else to it
Yep, and I shut them down one at a time.
HD all day everyday :)
He lived to go home to his family... oh wait!
Yeah, I know. It was hard to know who to disparge the most. Probably the cop, as the texter apparently got his due.
That might yet turn out to be true, but as of now, reports have only stated that Ouslon made some statement to the affect that he believed Reeves had done so.
I wasn't there. I don't know what happened.
What we are entirely certain of, is that Reeves shot and killed Oulson.
And yes, it looks very much like a crazed gun owner escalated an argument over possibly rude public behavior into murder.
Reeves either had the gun, or more likely, went out to his car and brought the gun back into the theater to shoot Oulson.
I would deem that proof positive of premeditation, and lethal intent.
Well, as someone posted on another thread, the theatre does not allow dogs so when he got the urge to kill, his options were limited. The unlucky guy happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Very true. And that, not the texting, was what got him killed.
That's why streaming is so good...
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.