Movie Theater Shooting Suspect Charged With Second Degree Murder
A movie theater shooting suspect has been charged with second degree murder. Curtis Reeves, age 71, is accused of fatally shooting 43-year-old Chad Oulson. Authorities said the two men argued over Oulson’s use of a cell phone inside a Tampa, Florida, theater.
Witnesses said Oulson was using his phone to send and receive text messages before the movie began. Reeves reportedly became upset and asked the man to stop texting. Following the initial confrontation, the suspect left his seat to report the cell phone use to theater personnel.
When Reeves returned to his seat, the men two men continued to argue. Theater patron Charles Cumming witnessed the exchange. He said the suspect was “very irritated” and visibly angry. As the argument continued, Oulson reportedly threw his popcorn at the suspect.
As reported by CNN, Reeves pulled out a .380 semi-automatic gun and pointed it at the victim. Chad Oulson’s wife Nicole held her hand up in attempt to stop the suspect from firing. Unfortunately it was too late.
When Reeves fired his gun, the bullet passed through Nicole’s hand and hit her husband in the chest. As he fell to the ground Chad said “I can’t believe I got shot.” The 43-year-old father died shortly after arriving at the hospital.
Curtis Reeves, a retired police officer, was arrested for the movie theater shooting. ABC News reports the suspect admitted shooting Oulson. However, he said the man hit him with an “unknown object” and “he was in fear of being attacked.”
On Tuesday afternoon, Reeves was arraigned via closed-circuit television. The judge said there was “sufficient probable cause” for the charge of second degree murder. He ordered the suspect held without bond.
In 1993, Reeves retired as captain of the Tampa Police Department. He then served as head of security for Busch Gardens. Neighbors describe the suspect as generous and friendly. They were stunned that he was involved in the movie theater shooting.
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