[txrefugee]

Did the shooter really go to the manager, or did he go to the car to get his gun?
Premeditation is important here. However, even an old SWAT officer ought not to have been in “fear of his life” from an attack by popcorn.

[sauropod]

Prayers up for Mrs. Oulson.

[KeyLargo]

I would like to know the opinion of the past character of that shooter from officers that worked for or with him on the police department. I am sure that it would be very interesting.

I have not been to a movie theater in years since I have a big screen TV, Netflix, DISH and Amazon movies.

[PLMerite]

“However, even an old SWAT officer ought not to have been in “fear of his life” from an attack by popcorn.”

Throwing something in an opponent’s face is a good opening move in a fight to blind, distract, or startle them, followed up by an attack or attempted disarm. A lot depends upon the details, especially how quickly after the popcorn barrage the shooting happened. Hemmed in by people in a row of theater seats, one is unable to retreat or flee.

Of course the shooter could just be a dumbass.

[Durus]

Picture yourself here. You carry a pistol for self protection. Someone in the theater is texting on a phone, you ask them politely to stop and they go off on you. You go and speak to the manager. When you come back the guy won't let it go, he is getting more and more irate, words get more and more heated, then he throws his bag of popcorn at you. What do you really think is going to happen next? Do you think he's suddenly going to come to his senses, apologies and offer to pay your dry cleaning bill? Throwing the popcorn was a clear escalation of force that went past a rational tipping point, the next step was going to be physical, even the aggressors wife was trying to hold him back. The elderly man clearly suspected what was going to happen next. He wasn't afraid of the popcorn, he was afraid of a younger and stronger man getting his hand on him before he could deploy his legal, and rational, means of self defense.

It might not have happened this way but it could have.

[AD from SpringBay]

However, even an old SWAT officer ought not to have been in “fear of his life” from an attack by popcorn.

Where do you reckon that old SWAT officer learned to say he was 'in fear for his life'? How many court appearances did he have when he used that line to justify a bit of excessive force? The world will never know.

Those must have been some excellent previews to grow that upset by someone texting during them.

[a fool in paradise]

Did the shooter really go to the manager, or did he go to the car to get his gun?

This is Uncle Chip's unsubstanitated BS meme.

Produce the video of him leaving the building and heading to his car.

Find the evidence of theater staffers denying the shooter ever confronted them about a rude patron.

[Sidebar Moderator]

Copyright rules apply down thread, as well. Thanks.

[showme_the_Glory]

Poor old guy watched too much Gran Torino. Get off my lawn.

[ealgeone]

white guy shot a white guy....nothing to see....move along folks.

doesn’t fit the narrative.

[LeonardFMason]

25-30 people in entire theater. GET UP AND MOVE AWAY from someone bothering you. Why does everything have to be a confrontation. There were other seats open EVERYWHERE. People need to learn how to walk away.

[Gay State Conservative]

From what I've heard of this case it doesn't sound like the shooter had any legitimate reason.If the people in front of him were annoying he could have moved...or called the manager.

[Rum Tum Tugger]

A couple has come forward to say that they had a similar experience with Reeves in December at the same theater. When they texted during a movie, Reeves was incensed. Ironically, a little while later Reeves’ wife got a call on her cellphone — apparently, her ringer was rather loud.

[Ronald_Magnus]

“The sheriff said Reeves’ gun jammed after the first and only shot was fired.”

Kind of curious what make the 380 was. He could have “limp wristed” the shot and it wasn’t neccessarily a problem with the weapon.

[Lazamataz]

The elderly man accused of shooting a movie theater patron in Florida after an argument over text messaging told police that he fired because he "was in fear of being attacked."

Dude, you are no longer on the police force. You cannot use that absolving phrase any more.

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

How could the victim be a threat? He threw a bag of popcorn at Reeves.

POPCORN! Oooooo, dangerous!

[EnquiringMind]

I think this story will fall off the radar shortly. Nothing for Al and Jesse (or Obama, for that matter) to get worked up over.

[Revolting cat!]

Don’t you interfere with my viewing of previews and commercials or I KILL YOU!