A retired cop who police say went ballistic and fatally shot a man for texting in a Florida movie theater was ordered held without bail Tuesday.
Curtis Reeves was charged with second-degree murder for allegedly gunning down Chad Oulson, who was texting his 3-year-old daughter’s day-care center while in the suburban theater outside Tampa Monday.
“He must have just snapped,” said a neighbor of Reeves.
The 71-year-old former Tampa police captain faces life in prison for allegedly shooting Oulson with a .380-caliber semiautomatic weapon.
Oulson’s wife, Nicole, tried to shield him, and the bullet hit her in the hand before striking him the chest, police said.
The incident in the town of Wesley Chapel started when Reeves asked Oulson — who was sitting in front of him — to put away his cellphone during the previews before the movie “Lone Survivor” started.
When Oulson, a finance manager for a motorcycle dealership, continued texting, Reeves went out to tell management, police said.
After Reeves returned to his seat, the two men continued to argue. Oulson threw a bag of popcorn at Reeves, who told police that he didn’t know what had struck him and that he was “in fear of being attacked.”
Reeves pulled his gun and fired, according to law-enforcement authorities.
There were about 25 people in the theater at the time of the shooting.
“I can’t believe people would bring a pistol, a gun, to a movie,” said Charles Cummings, who was sitting near Oulson and Reeves. “I can’t believe they would argue and fight and shoot one another over popcorn. Over a cellphone.”
Cummings, who said he had been a combat Marine in Vietnam, said the victim fell onto him and his son. When dad and son spoke to reporters Monday, both had blood on their clothes.
“Blood started coming out of his mouth,” said the son, Alex. “It was just a very bad scene.”
Charles said he and another patron, who happened to be a nurse, began performing CPR on Oulson, while Alex went to call 911.
A man sitting next to the suspect was an off-duty deputy from another county, and he grabbed the gun out of Reeves’ hand. Reeves did not attempt to get away, Charles said.
When cops arrived to arrest Reeves, “he was very calm. He was seated in the chair, looking at the screen,” Sgt. Steve Greiner said.
Reeves’ lawyer, Richard Escobar, later said his client’s reaction was natural.
“The alleged victim attacked him,” Escobar said. “At that point in time, he has every right to defend himself.”
Reeves faces life in prison if convicted.
— with AP