Monday’s 1:20 showing of Lone Survivor at Pasco County, Florida’s Cobb movie theater started like most others.
People were taking their seats and waiting through previews before the movie began. Someone was still playing with their phone, and someone else was annoyed by it.
The difference is, this time that seemingly tiny conflict led to a man’s death.
Curtis Reeves, a 71-year-old retired police officer, reportedly complained that 43-year-old Chad Oulson was texting and making noise.
But when it didn’t stop, the situation quickly escalated out of control.
According to witnesses, the two men began arguing when someone threw popcorn. And out of nowhere, Reeves pulled a pistol and shot Oulson in the chest.
Oulson’s wife Nicole was also struck by the bullet when she threw her hand up in defense of her husband.
Luckily, no one else was injured. An off-duty deputy was able to subdue Reeves and remove his weapon until police could arrive.
The violent ending to the dispute was almost too shocking to believe, even to police. Sheriff Chris Nocco said in a statement:
“It’s absolutely crazy it would rise to this level over somebody just texting in a movie theater.”
We can’t say it any better ourselves. Just plain crazy.
[Image via AP Images.]
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