Texting Dispute Leaves One Dead, One Injured In Florida Movie Theater Shooting

Monday’s Florida movie theater shooting is said to have begun after a man got into an argument with a couple over texting in the movie theater. One of the victims, who was identified as Chad Oulson, has died as a result of his injuries.

According to Pasco County Sheriff, Chris Nocco, there was some form of argument because Oulson had been using his cell phone. “He was texting,” Nocco said. “This led to a verbal altercation, the verbal altercation escalated.”

The shooting suspect has been identified as retired Tampa police officer, Curtis Reeves. Reeves, 71, had become annoyed with Chad and his wife, Nichole Oulson, when they began arguing during the previews of “Lone Survivor” according to ABC News.

One witness, Charles Cummings, told CNN that Chad sat two seats down from him and his son. “Reeves was upset by Oulson’s cell phone use and the two argued, Reeves then got up and left the theater for a brief time.” Nocco told reporters that Reeves went to report the initial encounter to one of the theater’s employees. When he returned, Reeves and Chad began to argue again.

“Their voices started going up. There seemed to almost be a confrontation,” Cummings said. “Somebody throws popcorn; I’m not sure who threw it. And then bang, he (Oulson) was shot.”

Reports state that there were about 25 people in the theater at the time of the shooting. Two of those people happened to be nurses who moved quickly into action after the shooting took place. Another movie goer was an off-duty police officer who quickly subdued Reeves and took possession of his weapon until arresting officers arrived on scene according to ABC News.

According to police, Reeves and the Oulson’s didn’t appear to know each other before today. Chad and Nichole Oulson were airlifted to Tampa General Hospital where Chad was pronounced dead. Nichole is being treated at the hospital after throwing her hands up in an attempt to block the bullet from hitting her husband.