Movie Theater Shooting Suspect Curtis Reeves Was 'In Fear Of Being Attacked' After Victim Chad Oulson Threw Popcorn, Documents Reveal [PHOTO]
Florida movie theater shooting suspect Curtis Reeves claimed he felt his life was in danger when victim Chad Oulson threw popcorn at him during the previews of “Lone Surivor,” which led him to shoot and kill the 43-year-old father.
Reeves, a 71-year-old retired Tampa police officer, told authorities that's why he took out a gun and shot Oulson at a movie theater in the suburb of Wesley Chapel on Monday. According to the police report, Reeves told authorities he feared for his life.
“The defendant advised that the victim turned and stood up, striking him in the face with an unknown object,” according to the police report. “The defendant advised that he removed the .380 semi-auto handgun from his pants pocket, firing one round striking the victim and that he was in fear of being attacked.”
Reeves appeared via video link in a Pasco County courtroom on Tuesday. He faces second-degree murder charges in the killing of Oulson, who was texting his toddler daughter when Reeves allegedly became enraged and shot him.
Reeves’ attorney told a judge that the former Tampa police captain had “every right to defend himself” after being hit with popcorn, according to Fox 13 in Tampa Bay. The judge ruled that there was “more than sufficient” probable cause to charge Reeves with second-degree murder and denied bond.
Reeves told Oulson to stop texting and stormed out of the movie theater to complain before going back into the theater, police said. Nicole Oulson was wounded when she tried to shield her husband with her hand as the gun was fired, but authorities said that her injuries aren't considered life-threatening.
The theater, which had about 25 people inside at the time of the shooting, was evacuated and no one else was hurt.
Read the full affidavit below:
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