A FATHER was shot dead in an American cinema yesterday after an argument broke out when he refused to stop texting his three-year-old daughter.
Police said a man was shot dead at a US cinema after he refused to stop using his mobile [REUTERS]
Chad Oulson, 43, died in hospital after police said he was shot in the chest by former SWAT captain Curtis Reeves, 71, at a movie theatre in Florida.
Mr Oulson's wife was also shot in the hand during a matinee screening at the cinema in Wesley Chapel but her injuries are not life threatening.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said: "The victim was on his cell phone; he was texting. We believe he was making some kind of noise. This noise led to an altercation between the suspect and the victim."
Mr Oulson's wife was also shot in the hand during a matinee screening at the cinema in Wesley Chapel but her injuries are not life threatening.
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said: "The victim was on his cell phone; he was texting. We believe he was making some kind of noise. This noise led to an altercation between the suspect and the victim."
Witnesses said the victim was texting his three-year-old daughter in the Florida cinema [AP]I can't believe people would bring a pistol, a gun, to a movie. I can't believe they would argue and fight and shoot one another over popcorn. Over a cellphoneWitness Charles Cummings
Authorities said Reeves, who has a distinguished police record, was detained by an off duty cop until officers arrived.
Witnesses at the cinema near Tampa said an argument started when Mr Oulson and his wife were asked to stop using their mobile phones by Reeves.
Mr Oulson refused and told Reeves he was texting his young daughter before the pair began throwing popcorn at one another.
Reeves then left the cinema screen to get a manager but allegedly opened fire when he returned alone.
He surrendered his weapon to the off duty copy who was among the 25 people in the theatre and he has been charged with second degree murder.
He is expected to appear in court today. The gun attack happened during a screening of the film Lone Survivor.
Witnesses at the cinema near Tampa said an argument started when Mr Oulson and his wife were asked to stop using their mobile phones by Reeves.
Mr Oulson refused and told Reeves he was texting his young daughter before the pair began throwing popcorn at one another.
Reeves then left the cinema screen to get a manager but allegedly opened fire when he returned alone.
He surrendered his weapon to the off duty copy who was among the 25 people in the theatre and he has been charged with second degree murder.
He is expected to appear in court today. The gun attack happened during a screening of the film Lone Survivor.
Charles Cummings said the victim's wife was shot in the hand as she tried to protect her husband [AP]
Witness Charles Cummings, who spoke outside the cinema with blood on his clothes, said the victim fell onto him and his son.
He said: "Blood started coming out of his mouth.
"It was just a very bad scene."
Mr Cummings, who was a combat Marine in Vietnam, said Mr Oulson's wife was injured when she tried to protect her husband from Reeves.
He added: "I can't believe people would bring a pistol, a gun, to a movie.
"I can't believe they would argue and fight and shoot one another over popcorn. Over a cellphone."
He said: "Blood started coming out of his mouth.
"It was just a very bad scene."
Mr Cummings, who was a combat Marine in Vietnam, said Mr Oulson's wife was injured when she tried to protect her husband from Reeves.
He added: "I can't believe people would bring a pistol, a gun, to a movie.
"I can't believe they would argue and fight and shoot one another over popcorn. Over a cellphone."
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