On 13 January 2014, retired American SWAT commander Curtis J. Reeves Jr.[1] shot and killed retired American Gulf War veteran Chad Oulson in a Cobb Theatres movie theater in Wesley Chapel, Florida, United States. The shooting occurred during the movie previews following a brief altercation between the two men. Reeves asked Oulson to turn off his cell phone and Oulson threw popcorn and then his cell phone at Reeves.
| Venue | Cobb Theatres |
|---|---|
| Location | Wesley Chapel, Florida |
| Type | Shooting |
| Cause | Throwing popcorn |
| Motive | Self defense |
| Target | Chad Oulson |
| Outcome | Death of Chad Oulson and acquittal of Curtis Reeves |
In 2017, Reeves's legal team attempted to use Florida's stand-your-ground law as the basis of his defense, which was initially rejected by the court. In 2022, Reeves was acquitted of second-degree murder and aggravated battery.
Death
editOn 13 January 2014,[2] Oulson and his wife Nicole were preparing to watch the movie Lone Survivor; retired law enforcement officer Curtis Reeves and his wife were watching from the row behind the Oulsons.[3] Chad Oulson used his cell phone during the previews; Reeves told Oulson to turn off his cellphone and to not use it in the theater. Reeves then exited the theater to complain to theater personnel, then returned to his seat. Chad Oulson threw popcorn at Reeves, who drew a .380 caliber handgun and fired, shooting Nicole Oulson in the finger[3] and fatally wounding Chad Oulson[4][5] who died later the same day.[6]
Reactions
editAccording to witness Alan Hamilton, an off-duty police officer, Reeves's wife said "that was no cause to shoot anyone", to which Reeves scolded her with his finger and said "you shut your [expletive] mouth and don't say another word".[7] Reeves insisted that he killed Chad Oulson because he felt threatened by the younger, more physically fit individual.[3] According to several sources, Reeves was also texting during the previews,[8][9] responding to a text from his son.[10]
Trial
editIn 2017, a judge ruled that Reeves could not take shelter under the Florida's Stand Your Ground law,[11] a decision that would later be overturned on appeal,[12] leaving the determination of self-defense to the jury. Tampa defense attorney Richard Escobar referred to the case as "the largest self-defense case ever in Florida".[13]
Eight years after the event, in February 2022, Reeves was acquitted of second-degree murder and aggravated battery.[6] During the trial, Reeves stated that the confrontation made him more afraid than anything else in his life, including his SWAT experience[14] and entire law enforcement career, but prosecutors disputed that statement.[15] Officers on the scene described Reeves's demeanor as extremely calm.[16]
Post trial
editIn 2022, the Oulson Family Foundation was established to provide funds for children who have been affected by gun violence, including counseling, medical attention, and college tuition.[17][18]
References
edit- ^ Medina, Eduardo (26 February 2022). "Retired SWAT Commander Acquitted in Fatal Shooting of Moviegoer - The New York Times". The New York Times. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
- ^ "Curtis Reeves not guilty in movie theater shooting trial". Baynews9.com. 2022-02-25. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
- ^ a b c "Retired police captain stands trial 8 years after man killed in argument about texting in a Florida movie theater". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ "Ex-officer found not guilty after shooting, killing man during argument about movie theater texting". 26 February 2022.
- ^ "Curtis Reeves Released after shooting Chad Oulson". The Tampa Tribune. 2014-07-12. p. 1. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ a b Andone, Maria Cartaya,Dakin (2022-02-26). "Curtis Reeves, retired police captain who fatally shot man in movie theater, acquitted". CNN. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "Ex-Cop After Cinema Shooting: 'I Can't Believe What I Have Done'". NBC News. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ Lush, Tamara. "Records: Man in theater shooting also was texting". Daytona Beach News-Journal Online. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ "Curtis Reeves sent a text message before movie theater shooting, court documents say". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ "Report: Fla. movie theater shooter texted, too". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ "Judge denies 'stand your ground' defence for ex-cop who fatally shot man texting during movie - National | Globalnews.ca". Global News. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ "Curtis Reeves 'popcorn murder' trial could impact future stand-your-ground cases". WPTV. 2022-02-23. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ "After acquittal, Curtis Reeves renews freedom; Chad Oulson's widow grieves anew". Tampabay.com. Retrieved 2022-05-22.
- ^ "Retired SWAT officer acquitted in movie theater shooting". The Day. 26 Feb 2022.
- ^ "Retired Florida cop who killed man in movie theater for texting acquitted of murder". New York Post. 2022-02-26. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ Lush, Tamara. "Retired police officer held without bond in theater-cell phone killing". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2022-05-28.
- ^ Waxler, Eric (May 26, 2022). "Widow from movie theater shooting case starting foundation". Retrieved 27 May 2022.
- ^ Dawson, Anastasia (March 27, 2022). "Widow of man shot in theater pushes beyond anger to make love his legacy". Tampa Bay Times. Retrieved 27 May 2022.