This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jan/14/tampa-police-officer-movie-theatre-shooting

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Retired officer faces murder charge in Florida movie theatre shooting Retired officer faces murder charge in Florida movie theatre shooting
(about 3 hours later)
A retired police captain who allegedly shot dead another cinema-goer in a dispute over text messaging was facing his first appearance in a Florida courtroom on Tuesday, as detectives continued to piece together the circumstances of their fatal confrontation.A retired police captain who allegedly shot dead another cinema-goer in a dispute over text messaging was facing his first appearance in a Florida courtroom on Tuesday, as detectives continued to piece together the circumstances of their fatal confrontation.
Curtis Reeves Jr, 71, is charged with the second-degree murder of Chad Oulson, 43, who police said was texting his 3-year-old daughter from the cinema in Wesley Chapel just before Monday's matinee showing of the movie Lone Survivor was scheduled to begin. Curtis Reeves Jr, 71, is charged with the second-degree murder of Chad Oulson, 43, who police said was texting his three-year-old daughter from the cinema in Wesley Chapel just before Monday's matinee showing of the movie Lone Survivor was scheduled to begin.
According to witnesses, Reeves was sitting with his wife directly behind Oulson, and objected to Oulson's cellphone use in the darkened auditorium, asking him several times to stop. According to witnesses, Reeves was sitting with his wife directly behind Oulson, and objected to Oulson's cellphone use in the darkened auditorium, asking him several times to stop. 
The argument escalated quickly and popcorn was thrown. Reeves, who retired from the Tampa police department in 1993 and who more recently worked as director of security for the Busch Gardens theme park, pulled out his .380 semi-automatic pistol and fired a single shot that hit Oulson in the chest and struck the hand of Oulson's wife Nicole, Pasco County sheriff Chris Nocco said.The argument escalated quickly and popcorn was thrown. Reeves, who retired from the Tampa police department in 1993 and who more recently worked as director of security for the Busch Gardens theme park, pulled out his .380 semi-automatic pistol and fired a single shot that hit Oulson in the chest and struck the hand of Oulson's wife Nicole, Pasco County sheriff Chris Nocco said.
"To have a retired police officer, I don't know what he was thinking at the time," Nocco told a press conference on Monday. "Fate brought these two people together. It was ridiculous.""To have a retired police officer, I don't know what he was thinking at the time," Nocco told a press conference on Monday. "Fate brought these two people together. It was ridiculous."
Pasco deputies arrested Reeves after the incident. He was held overnight at the Land O'Lakes detention centre and scheduled to appear before a circuit court judge at the Pasco County courthouse in Dade City at 1pm Tuesday. He faces a sentence of 25 years to life if convicted.Pasco deputies arrested Reeves after the incident. He was held overnight at the Land O'Lakes detention centre and scheduled to appear before a circuit court judge at the Pasco County courthouse in Dade City at 1pm Tuesday. He faces a sentence of 25 years to life if convicted.
Witnesses said Reeves placed his gun in his lap after pulling the trigger, then was detained by an off-duty sheriff's deputy who was among the 25 people who had come to watch the film at the Cobb Grove 16 movie theatre.Witnesses said Reeves placed his gun in his lap after pulling the trigger, then was detained by an off-duty sheriff's deputy who was among the 25 people who had come to watch the film at the Cobb Grove 16 movie theatre.
Charles Cummings, a retired US marine and Vietnam war veteran who was in the audience with his son Alex, told reporters that he was several seats away when the argument started. He said Reeves went to get a manager but came back alone, which prompted further taunting from Oulson.Charles Cummings, a retired US marine and Vietnam war veteran who was in the audience with his son Alex, told reporters that he was several seats away when the argument started. He said Reeves went to get a manager but came back alone, which prompted further taunting from Oulson.
"He came back very irritated. Somebody throws popcorn, I don't know who threw the popcorn. And then bang, he was shot," he said. "I can't believe people would bring a pistol to a movie. I can't believe they'd argue, fight and shoot one another over popcorn, a cellphone.""He came back very irritated. Somebody throws popcorn, I don't know who threw the popcorn. And then bang, he was shot," he said. "I can't believe people would bring a pistol to a movie. I can't believe they'd argue, fight and shoot one another over popcorn, a cellphone."
Alex Cummings said that Oulson staggered towards him after being wounded. "Blood started coming out of his mouth. It was just a very bad scene," he said.Alex Cummings said that Oulson staggered towards him after being wounded. "Blood started coming out of his mouth. It was just a very bad scene," he said.
Oulson was taken to hospital in Tampa, where he was pronounced dead. Nicole Oulson, who was shot in the hand as she moved it apparently to protect her husband when the gun was drawn, was released after treatment.Oulson was taken to hospital in Tampa, where he was pronounced dead. Nicole Oulson, who was shot in the hand as she moved it apparently to protect her husband when the gun was drawn, was released after treatment.
Friends and neighbours were surprised that Reeves, whose son Mathew works as a patrol officer for the Tampa police department, was involved.Friends and neighbours were surprised that Reeves, whose son Mathew works as a patrol officer for the Tampa police department, was involved.
"I can't imagine what happened that he would do that. He's just not that kind of person," Elnora Brown, a family friend, told Tampa's Action News. "I can't imagine what happened that he would do that. He's just not that kind of person," Elnora Brown, a family friend, told Tampa's Action News. 
Bill Costas, a next-door neighbour in the town of Brooksville, said Reeves was a gentle man and loving grandfather. "Curtis is a good guy. He's always been very nice to my wife and myself. I'm very shocked," he said.Bill Costas, a next-door neighbour in the town of Brooksville, said Reeves was a gentle man and loving grandfather. "Curtis is a good guy. He's always been very nice to my wife and myself. I'm very shocked," he said.
A spokeswoman for Cobb Theaters said the cinema would remain closed Tuesday while the investigation continued.A spokeswoman for Cobb Theaters said the cinema would remain closed Tuesday while the investigation continued.
"This was an isolated altercation between two guests that escalated unexpectedly," the company said in a statement. "The safety, security and comfort of our guests and team members are always our top priorities, and we are truly heartbroken by this incident.""This was an isolated altercation between two guests that escalated unexpectedly," the company said in a statement. "The safety, security and comfort of our guests and team members are always our top priorities, and we are truly heartbroken by this incident."
The spokeswoman said all Cobb cinemas prohibit the use of cellphones in the auditorium and also have a strict ban on weapons.The spokeswoman said all Cobb cinemas prohibit the use of cellphones in the auditorium and also have a strict ban on weapons.
The Associated Press contributed to this report. The Associated Press contributed to this report. 
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.