Retired Tampa Police Captain has been arrested for shooting a man and his wife after an apparent argument over texting during a movie at a Wesley Chapel theater.
"The shooting happened at Cobb Theater's Grove 16 & CineBistro on Monday afternoon. The Pasco County Sheriff's Office says 71-year-old Curtis Reeves, Jr. and his wife were sitting behind another couple, Chad and Nicole Oulson, waiting for the movie Lone Survivor to begin, when Reeves became agitated with Chad for texting before the movie began.
An argument broke out between the couples, after which Reeves reportedly took out a gun and fired at Oulson and his wife. Officials said Nicole tried to block the bullet, resulting in a gunshot wound to her hand, before Chad was struck.
The couple was taken to a Bay area hospital, where Chad was pronounced dead. Nicole's injuries were said to be non-life threatening.
An off-duty Sumter County deputy inside the theater at the time of the shooting acted as a good Samaritan, and detained Reeves until deputies arrived. The theater was evacuated."
According to Sheriff Nocco, the shooting was an "isolated incident" and the two couples did not know each other.
Reeves has reportedly been charged with second degree murder for the shooting.
The Tampa Police Department issued a statement on Reeves Monday evening:
" Curtis Reeves Jr. retired from the Tampa Police Department on 9/30/93 as a Captain. He was instrumental in establishing the department's first Tactical Response Team. We are not aware of any contact with the department since his departure more than 20 years ago."
Cobb Theatres also issued statement Monday after the incident:
"We are deeply saddened by the events that occurred earlier today, and our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families. The theatre is currently closed, and we are actively working with the sheriff's office on this investigation. 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."
Original report follows...
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Two people were shot -- one fatally -- inside a movie theater in Wesley Chapel, Florida early this afternoon in an apparent dispute between two couples over noisy texting.
The shooting happened around 1:30 p.m. at the Cobb CineBistro at Grove 16 complex on Wesley Grove Blvd.
According to Sheriff Chris Nocco, an as-yet-unidentified man and his wife were among those watching a matinee of 'Lone Survivor' when the couple got into an argument with the couple sitting in front of them. The dispute was apparently over noise and texting.
An "altercation" took place, the sheriff said, and the man pulled out a pistol and shot both the other man and his significant other.
Both victims were hospitalized. The male victim has since died, while the woman suffered non-life-threatening injuries.
A good Samaritan inside the theatre was able to detain the suspect until deputies arrived, the sheriff added. That male suspect is in custody.
