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Man shot dead at movies after texting Man shot dead at movies after texting
(about 11 hours later)
Authorities say a retired police officer has been charged with fatally shooting a man during an argument over text messaging at a Florida theatre. A retired Florida policeman has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting a man who texted during a film.
Sheriff's spokeswoman Melanie Snow said two couples had been watching Lone Survivor on Monday at a cinema north of Tampa. She said 71-year-old Curtis Reeves asked 43-year-old Chad Oulson to stop texting and an argument led to the shooting. Authorities said Curtis Reeves, 71, and Chad Oulson, 43, got into an argument before the screening of the film Lone Survivor when Reeves asked Oulson to stop texting.
Oulson and his wife, Nichole, were taken to a local hospital where he later died. His wife's injuries were not considered life-threatening. “Somebody throws popcorn. I’m not sure who threw the popcorn,” said witness Charles Cummings. “And then bang, he was shot.”
The sheriff's office said an off-duty deputy detained Reeves until police arrived. Oulson told Reeves he was texting his three-year-old daughter, Cummings said.
Reeves has been charged with second-degree murder. Pasco County sheriff’s officials said Reeves and his wife were sitting behind Oulson and his wife. Reeves has been charged with second-degree murder.
“It ended almost as quickly as it started,” said sheriff’s spokesman Doug Tobin. An off-duty deputy detained Reeves until police arrived.
Cummings, who had blood on his clothes, said the trailers before the film were still showing when the couples started arguing. The men started raising their voices and popcorn was thrown.
Authorities said Reeves took out a gun, Oulson’s wife put her hand over her husband and Reeves fired his weapon, striking Nichole Oulson in the hand and her husband in the chest.
“I can’t believe people would bring a pistol, a gun, to a movie,” Cummings said. “I can’t believe they would argue and fight and shoot one another over popcorn. Over a cellphone.”
Cummings said Oulson fell on to him and his son. Another man grabbed the gun, and the suspect did not attempt to get away, Cummings said.
Chad Oulson died in hospital. His wife’s injuries were not life-threatening.
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