Retired Florida Police Captain Acquitted On Murder Charges From Movie Theater Shooting

A retired Florida police captain who killed a man inside a movie theater has been acquitted of the murder by a jury.

Curtis Reeves, 79, was charged with second-degree murder after he gunned down 43-year-old Chad Oulson during a showing of “Lone Survivor” suburban Pasco County in 2014.

Defense lawyers and prosecutors on the Cass agreed that Reeves asked Oulson to stop texting when the movie previews were playing. As a result, an argument ended with the former Tampa police captain opening fire.

Reeves pleaded not guilty and claimed he was acting on the grounds of self-defense, the New York Post reported.

The former captain’s lawyers successfully argued that his client’s training prompted him to open fire because he believed his life was in danger when the victim threw his cellphone at his face and appeared ready to climb over the seat to attack him.

Reeves “had more knowledge, more experience, more study in that area than anyone in this courtroom,” his defense attorney Richard Escobar said. “It’s a dangerous world.”

While Prosecutors argued that Reeves’ ego was bruised after Oulson threw popcorn in his face and added there was no real threat.

“In his entire career that is the most he has ever been scared? Absolutely unreal,” prosecutor Scott Rosenwasser said of the former homicide bureau, fugitive apprehension, and SWAT team commander.

“He didn’t fear anything.”

Oulson died at the hospital, and his wife was treated after being shot in the hand.

After a six-person jury acquitted him, Reeves smiled and embraced his family members following a 3½ hour deliberation late Friday.

“This is great,” Reeves said. “It’s been a long eight years. I couldn’t wait for it to be over with.”