Florida senior Curtis Reeves shoots, kills Chad Oulson after movie theater texting confrontation
Two people were shot at a Florida movie theater after an apparent argument over texting. One of the victims has died and the senior citizen shooter has been arrested.
Chad Oulson, age 43, was shot in the chest at the Cobb Theater’s Grove 16 & CineBistro on Monday afternoon after Curtis Reeves, a retired Tampa police officer had a dispute over Oulson texting during the previews.
According to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Chad and Nicole Oulson got into an argument with Reeves and his wife who took issue with the 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.
The argument turned ugly and Reeves pulled his gun killing the man and injuring his wife.
“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.”
Both victims were transported to an area hospital, where the man was pronounced dead.
Reeves, a retired Tampa police officer, has been arrested on a charge of second-degree homicide.
Hours after the shooting, Cobb Theatres issued the following statement:
“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.”
Crime Scene Tape photo/editted pic from FBI.gov
[…] Reeves, the 71-year-old retired Tampa Police captain accused of fatally shooting a theatergoer in a confrontation over texting, will remain behind […]