|
 Doug Tobin, a spokesman for the Pasco Sheriff's Office, said the
shooter, identified by local media as 71-year-old Curtis Reeves, was
waiting for the film to begin with his wife when they got into an
argument with another couple in the row of seats directly in front
during the previews.
At some point, Reeves brandished a gun and shot both Chad Oulson,
who was texting, and his wife Nichole Oulson, the Sheriff's
department told CNN.
"The male victim is deceased. The female victim was injured with
non-life threatening injuries," Tobin said.
Tobin added that the shooter was detained by a fellow moviegoer
before being taken into police custody.
Reeves retired from the Tampa police 20 years ago, according to the
Pasco County Sheriff's Office.
Reeves asked Chad Oulson, 43, to stop texting several times, and
left the theater before returning to his seat, Pasco Sheriff Chris
Nocco said. The argument began after Oulson asked Reeves if he had
reported him to theater staff for using his phone, he said.
Oulson was shot in the chest, and Nichole Oulson, 33, was injured in
the hand while trying to protect her husband as the shot was fired,
he said.
[to top of second column] |
"Lone Survivor," based on a New York Times best seller, stars Mark
Wahlberg and tells the story of four Navy SEALs on an ill-fated
covert mission against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
In a statement, Cobb Theatres said it was "deeply saddened" by the
shooting, expressing sympathy for the families of the victims.
"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," it added.
(Writing by Kevin Gray; reporting by David Adams in Miami.;
editing
by Chizu Nomiyama, Jonathan Oatis and Richard Chang)
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