One Dead After Dispute Over Cell Phone Noise in Movie Theater

[evanovitch]

Two people were shot -- one fatally -- inside a movie theater in Wesley Chapel, Florida early this afternoon in an apparent dispute between two couples over noisy texting. The shooting happened around 1:30 p.m. at the Cobb CineBistro at Grove 16 complex on Wesley Grove Blvd. According to Sheriff Chris Nocco, an as-yet-unidentified man and his wife were among those watching a matinee of 'Lone Survivor' when the couple got into an argument with the couple sitting in front of them. The dispute was apparently over noise and texting. An "altercation" took place, the sheriff said, and the man pulled out a pistol and shot both the other man and his significant other. Both victims were hospitalized. The male victim has since died, while the woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries. A good Samaritan inside the theatre was able to detain the suspect until deputies arrived, the sheriff added. That male suspect is in custody. - See more at: http://crooksandliars.com/2014/01/on....eBOpZcKm.dpuf

[kia027]

Dang! A retired police captain shot the guy


Retired Tampa Police Captain has been arrested for shooting a man and his wife after an apparent argument over texting during a movie at a Wesley Chapel theater.

"The shooting happened at Cobb Theater's Grove 16 & CineBistro on Monday afternoon. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office says 71-year-old Curtis Reeves, Jr. and his wife were sitting behind another couple, Chad and Nicole Oulson, waiting for the movie Lone Survivor to begin, when Reeves became agitated with Chad for texting before the movie began.
An argument broke out between the couples, after which Reeves reportedly took out a gun and fired at Oulson and his wife. Officials said Nicole tried to block the bullet, resulting in a gunshot wound to her hand, before Chad was struck.
The couple was taken to a Bay area hospital, where Chad was pronounced dead. Nicole's injuries were said to be non-life threatening.
An off-duty Sumter County deputy inside the theater at the time of the shooting acted as a good Samaritan, and detained Reeves until deputies arrived. The theater was evacuated."

According to Sheriff Nocco, the shooting was an "isolated incident" and the two couples did not know each other.
Reeves has reportedly been charged with second degree murder for the shooting.
The Tampa Police Department issued a statement on Reeves Monday evening:

" Curtis Reeves Jr. retired from the Tampa Police Department on 9/30/93 as a Captain. He was instrumental in establishing the department's first Tactical Response Team. We are not aware of any contact with the department since his departure more than 20 years ago."

Cobb Theatres also issued statement Monday after the incident:

"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."

- See more at: http://crooksandliars.com/2014/01/on....oMeqWak4.dpuf

[evanovitch]

no bond for retired cop in texting shooting

CNN) -- It started Monday afternoon with a Florida father sending text messages during the previews of an afternoon movie.It ended with the 43-year-old father shot dead amid the theater seats, and a 71-year-old retired police officer charged with second-degree murder.
The former cop, Curtis Reeves, was denied bond during his first court appearance Tuesday afternoon. Circuit Court Judge Lynn Tepper also ruled that there is "more than sufficient probable cause" for the second-degree murder charge to remain after hearing Reeves' private defense attorney argue against that.
Reeves wasn't in court. He appeared via a closed-circuit television from jail, shirtless, wearing a thick, padded jail-issued vest. Defense attorney Richard Escobar addressed the monitor, and told his client that they would "speak in confidence," indicating that Reeves should say nothing.






Man killed in theater over texting






Police: Moviegoer killed for texting
The encounter Monday afternoon between the victim and the shooter began during the previews ahead of the Peter Berg film "Lone Survivor" at the Grove 16 theater in the Tampa suburb of Wesley Chapel. Reeves was with his wife and sat behind Chad Oulson and his wife. Chad Oulson was using his cell phone and Reeves told him to put it away, according to police and witnesses.
The two men began to argue and Reeves walked out of the theater. Police said Reeves was going to complain to a theater employee, according to the police report.
When Reeves returned, witnesses and authorities said that Oulson asked him if he had gone to tell on him for texting. Oulson reportedly said, in effect: I was just sending a message to my young daughter.
Charles Cummings and his adult son were two seats away. Cummings said that when Reeves returned to the theater, he didn't return with a manager. "He came back very irritated," Cummings recalled.
Voices were raised. Oulson threw a bag of popcorn at Reeves, according to a police report, and then the former police officer took out a .380 semi-automatic handgun and shot Oulson.
Oulson's wife Nicole raised her hand just before the shot was fired and the bullet went through her hand and into her husband's chest, authorities said.
As Oulson staggered and fell, "He said, 'I can't believe I got shot," the younger Cummings recounted. "Blood started coming out of his mouth. I was trying to hold him up. He just fell down."
Nicole Oulson suffered a non-life threatening wound. Her husband died after being taken to the hospital.
During an interview with Reeves with his arrest, and after the former cop was read his Miranda rights, Reeves admitted to firing his weapon at the victim because "he was in fear of being attacked," according to the police report.
Reeves told police that Oulson had hit him with what the police report describes as an "unknown object."
Witnesses told police they saw no punches being thrown during the incident, according to the report.
There were 25 people in the movie theater. After the shooting, some made valiant efforts to help Oulson and to make sure no other people were hurt.
An off-duty deputy sheriff from Sumter County rushed over to make sure no more shots were fired and that the shooter was not going to get up.
One of two nurses in the audience ran to Oulson's side and performed CPR until paramedics arrived. An autopsy will be conducted Tuesday.
"I can't believe people would bring a pistol to a movie," said Cummings, a Vietnam War veteran who was celebrating his birthday by spending the afternoon with his son.
Reeves retired in 1993 as a captain with the police department in nearby Tampa. He was also director of security at Busch Gardens until 2005, CNN affiliate Bay News 9 reported. Police told CNN that Reeves was instrumental in establishing the police department's first Tactical Response Team.
Reeves' son, Matthew Reeves, works for the department as a patrol officer, CNN affiliate WTSP and the Tampa Tribune report.
CNN is attempting to obtain Curtis Reeves' full law enforcement employment record.
A neighbor told Bay News 9 that Reeves was a nice guy.
"Always smiling. I've never seen him angry," Bill Costas said. "If I needed help with something, he was always there."
Costas said he feels bad for the wives and families of both men.
Meanwhile, Cobb Theatres, which operates the Grove complex, released a statement: "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."
A list of prohibited items and behavior in their theaters are on the theater website. Among them: no cell phone use, including texting, in the theater auditorium. And no weapons allowed.

[Tuff Gong]

Florida stand your ground!