Movie Theater Shooting: Dead Man Was Texting Daughter During ‘Lone Survivor’ Previews

The Florida movie theater shooting that ended with one man dead and another arrested, started because the shooter got irritated when another moviegoer was texting during previews for the film Lone Survivor.

The shooting, which left 43-year-old Chad Oulson dead, happened on Monday at the 1:20 pm showing of the war movie at the Wesley Chapel, Florida, movie theater.

According to witnesses present at the theater, 71-year-old retired police officer Curtis Reeves, became irritated when he spotted a man sitting in front of him who was using his cell phone to text and asked him to put it away.

After the two got into an argument, Reeves, got up to go find a manager and complain about the man.

A few seats away, Charles Cummings — who had come to watch the movie with his son — witnessed the exchange and saw the movie theater shooter come back to his seat without a manager.

The victim of the movie theater shooting then asked Reeves if he had gone to complain about him saying he was sending a text message to his young daughter.

After the altercation escalated to raised voices and popcorn being thrown, the unthinkable happened. A gun shot rang in the almost empty movie theater.

Oulson was fatally shot by Reeves, as was his wife when she raised her hand in front of her husband after spotting the gun.

Cummings says Oulson struggled to get up and fell on him and his son, while Reeves sat down and put the gun on his lap.

An off-duty deputy sheriff from Sumter County was among those present at the movie theater shooting and quickly got up to make sure no more shots were fired and the gunman was restrained.

Two nurses — who were also attending the movie — came to Oulson’s aid and performed CPR until paramedics arrived.

“I can’t believe people would bring a pistol to a movie,” said Cummings, a Vietnam veteran who happened to be watching the movie as a birthday celebration.

Authorities say that Reeves, the Florida movie theater shooter had come to see the film with his wife.

CNN affiliate Bay News 9 reports Reeves — a retired captain with the Tampa police department — was arrested on a second-degree homicide charge. It was not known if he had an attorney.

Neighbors describe Reeves as a kind person, always willing to help others and say the movie theater shooting has left them shocked as it’s completely out of character.

Cobb Theatres, which operates the Grove complex, where the shooting happened, 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.”

Using cell phones — including texting — and bringing in fire arms are prohibited at the movie theater that saw the Monday shooting.