Reeves did complain and the management failed to do their duty. As far as shooting the victim it appears that the victim escalated the bad behavior and threw popcorn at the suspect. If something is flying at my eyes I would close my eyes and if I thought I was being attacked at the same time I would pull my gun and shoot with my eyes closed.
WRONG
You don't know that he said anything to management.
He got up and left the auditorium and then came back in a little later without management and then continued the argument.
We do know that shortly after leaving the auditorium and returning, he used his gun.
Is that why he left the auditorium -- to get his gun from his car.
That would make this premeditated murder.
In a theater full of people right? You're awesome! I hope you don't live in my community. I'm all for 2nd amend., but you don't shoot me, or my kids, because of texting or flying popcorn or harsh words.
He could have moved to another seat. The conflict would have ended there. Shooting a gun in a theater without a clear, immediate danger to your life, is grossly irresponsible & risks the lives of the audience. Popcorn is not a clear, immediate, life threatening danger - far from it. Had the texter wanted to hurt the guy he would have thrown his fist, not popcorn.
If you go to a movie intent on an enjoyable evening & your seating neighbor is being disruptive, why would you increase the disruption for everybody by having a verbal altercation? What authority do you have to stop your neighbor from texting or talking or being a disturbance beyond Shhhh? Regardless of outcome, wouldn't such an argument pretty much ruin the evening for you and everybody nearby? Wouldn't a simple seating change end your problem quietly & immediately?
Now, let's say the texter was, instead, two women giggling & talking. The retired cop asks them to be quiet, but they curse at him & throw popcorn at him. Is he then justified in pulling a gun & killing them? How about 2 kids? When does the guys actions become unreasonable, if ever?
As for popcorn throwing, it is an age old juvenile custom in theaters. I doubt anyone considers it a deadly assault except those who shoot someone in a theater.
The idea that personal offense for a minor disturbance is justification for extreme violence is barbaric. Whatever happened to turning the other cheek, moving to another seat, asking for your money back, or just ignoring the minor disturbance? This is the very same mindset as Liberals have: That any PERCEIVED offense is a crime deserving extreme punishment.