Police in Tampa, Florida, arrest retired police officer, 71, after argument in Tampa cinema turned deadly

This article is more than 6 years old

This article is more than 6 years old

A retired Florida policeman has been charged with murder after allegedly shooting a man who texted during a film.

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.

“Somebody throws popcorn. I’m not sure who threw the popcorn,” said witness Charles Cummings. “And then bang, he was shot.”

Oulson told Reeves he was texting his three-year-old daughter, Cummings said.

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.