If you start shooting in a theater with your eyes closed, try explaining that to a jury & judge just before you are sent to jail for shooting an innocent bystander. They will laugh you right out of the court & into a jail cell. And that house, car, GUNS, & saving account you HAD will go to YOUR victim(s), their families, & their lawyers.
Furthermore, if you start shooting in a theater, other armed audience members are then fully justified in riddling your body with numerous holes. As the first shooter, YOU are the bad guy. That pretty much negates the popcorn defense, permanently, as a jury will never hear it.
Nobody in their right mind would start shooting in a theater unless there was no other option. The retired cop had numerous other options as I have previously outlined. I suspect a psych exam will show mental illness. Mental illness is common to these kinds of shootings.
Mr. Reeves and Mr. Oulson were in a combative argument.
Mr. Reeves had reason to fear his well being was being threatened when Mr. Olson threw something at Mr. Reeves. Mr. Reeves closed his eyes by reflex and went for his gun by instinct. Mrs. Oulson more likely trying to stop her belligerent husband than shielding him.
Mr. Reeves is likely very sorry now he didn’t move. Mr. Oulson don’t care anymore cause he is dead and won’t be excusing bad behavior using his child.