Posted on 01/14/2014 2:04:00 PM PST by centurion316
A 43-year-old father was shot dead by a retired cop in a Florida cinema after a row about him texting his three-year-old daughter as they waited for the movie to start, witnesses said.
Chad Oulson was shot in front of his wife and horrified movie-goers during an argument with 71-year-old Curtis Reeves.
The victim's wife, Nicole, was injured in the shooting after holding her hands out to try to shield Mr Oulson during the confrontation at a movie theater near Tampa on Monday.
After Reeves fired at his chest the victim was heard saying: 'I can't believe I got shot', according to Fox News.
Reeves, who is facing life in prison if found guilty, has been charged with second-degree murder. During a hearing on Tuesday he appeared via video link, wearing a green suicide smock - a fire resistant outfit that can't be torn or turned into a noose.
The judge ruled he should be held without bond because of the severity of the charges, but the no bond ruling can't be confirmed until a live hearing with Reeves.
(Excerpt) Read more at dailymail.co.uk ...
Maybe the texting made “bleep bloop blap dingie” sounds that triggered the ex-LEO’s response.
So shoot them on sight?
Right. Some people can not help trolling. It’s in their nature.
He was texting the babysitter of his three year old daughter, BEFORE the movie started. Is there ever a time when you think it’s okay for a parent to check on their kids, or should they be subject to the whims of temperamental bullies at all times? Maybe you could post a schedule of times when it’s okay for parents to check on their kids, and a list of devices they’re allowed to use for this task. Is it okay to send a fax an hour before the movie?
There is if they're ask to stop! The consequence to continue to text is terrible.
I don't know what to make of it but I know the press has a slant too.
PS - maybe his lawyer should get a change of venue to like, say, Fullerton,CA - cops got away there with beating a homeless guy to death while he was crying out for his dad (a former cop) - got the not guilty verdict.
“Cops should not be allowed to carry firearms, and retired cops should be required to pass psychological exams to determine if they are fit to return to normal human status.”
Exactly! We have a female friend who married our town’s first Chief of Police. The guy has now been retired for at least ten years and we have had to abandon our friendship because this man has failed to “return to normal human status.” He thinks that everyone is a crook. He one time told my wife he could follow her in a car for a block or two and find something for which he could stop her! He thought it was hee her haw haw funny to use his .357 revolver to threaten people who followed him too closely after he was retired, an act that in this state is a felony for “normal citizens.”
I think this falls under the “Don’t mess with an old guy, he might just kill you” rule.
I'm quite certain that the dead man was offended at being asked or directed to stop texting and things escalated from there. But, unless something a little more deadly than popcorn was thrown at the retired police captain, I suspect that he has a serious legal problem.
Police officers are trained to defuse confrontations, trained in the use of firearms, and trained in the law on use of deadly force.
Since he is retired and clearly not on duty, one of his main lines of defense will not be available to him.
I wonder how retired police captains fare in prison?
Yep, a Fullerton jury would take about 20 minutes to acquit this guy.
Google “fullerton police history of abuse”, and you’ll get millions of links.
That is absolutely unsupported supposition not supported by any facts. There is nothing in any of the stories that say or even suggest that the shooter left the building and the subsequent confrontation was about him turning in the rude man to the management. Unreported and unsupported speculation stated as fact does not lead to rational or truthful discussions.
Texting a three year old?
She has a phone and can read?
BS
If the dead guy was a democrat.... Oh!.. Well..
Murder is justifiable for a bag of popcorn?
Seriously?
1) Thrown popcorn does not justify use of deadly force, even by a cop. You may only use deadly force if you feel your life is in danger.
2) The moment the ex-cop drew his weapon, he justified deadly force being used ON HIM. Keep in mind this is Florida, and there were likely other armed people in the theater. Once a cop retires, then he's just another citizen, and his past occupation becomes irrelevant in the determination of whether deadly force by him was justified.
That said, I'm waiting for the police and prosecutors to close ranks and try to figure out a way to get him off.
Maybe the victim threw the popcorn as an “Oh S**T” reaction when he saw the gun?
This whole notion of picking a fight then having to have to shoot somebody in self defense is wrong. If you start a confrontation with somebody and then you end up shooting them, I think the justification for self defense is gone.
I’m sure most CC people do everything they can to avoid confrontation, but this retired cop is not a real CC he’s a legacy CC and he brought his cop attitude along with his gun and now he’s done horribly wrong.
One of the first rules of concealed carry is to avoid confrontation. In other words you should be MORE laid back and not be provoked. You should certaintly not provoke a conflict. Grandpa screwed up big time.
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