Movie Theater Shooting: One Dead Over Texting Dispute

Texting while driving can be deadly, but who would have thought that texting while seeing a movie could be too? Well, that’s exactly what happened on Monday during a “Lone Survivor” show...
Movie Theater Shooting: One Dead Over Texting Dispute
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  • Texting while driving can be deadly, but who would have thought that texting while seeing a movie could be too?

    Well, that’s exactly what happened on Monday during a “Lone Survivor” showing at Cobb Theater in Tampa, Fla.

    Curtis Reeve, 71, fatally shot 43-year-old Chad Oulson in the chest for texting on his phone during movie previews.

    The altercation started when Reeve and his wife asked Oulson to stop texting, in which his wife Nicole Oulson also got involved.

    Both couples argued until Reeve decided to leave the auditorium to seek a manager. When he returned, Ouslon confronted him and asked if he had reported him.

    According to witnesses, the two ended up getting into a heated argument. Someone threw popcorn and that’s when fire rang out.

    Alex Cummings, who was sitting near the altercation with his father Charles Cummings, said that Oulson fell over into his seat.

    “The guy shot said ‘I was just texting my daughter, my 3-year-old daughter. He said, ‘I can’t believe I got shot,’” Alex Cummings reported to WTSP 10 News.

    Mrs. Oulson was shot in the hand in attempt to block the bullet.

    An off duty cop detained Reeve and the 380-caliber handgun until authorities arrived while two nurses attending the show attempted to help the Oulsons.

    The couple was rushed to Tampa General Hospital where the wounded man was pronounced dead on arrival.

    “I can’t believe they would argue and fight and shoot one another over popcorn. Over a cellphone,” said Charles Cummings.

    Ironically, Reeve is a retired police captain of 20 years and his son is a police patrol officer in Tampa. He has now been charged with second-degree murder and is being held without bond.

    There is really no solid motive as to why the situation ended so tragically, but one thing is for certain: shootings in movie theaters are becoming quite common now days.

    Maybe there is a need for more security? What are your thoughts?

    Here’s a report on the shooting:

    The Cummings share their account on what happened: 

    Image via Youtube

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