On 13 January 2014, retired American
SWAT
In the United States, a SWAT team (special weapons and tactics, originally special weapons assault team) is a police tactical unit that uses specialized or military equipment and tactics. Although they were first created in the 1960s to ...
commander Curtis J. Reeves Jr. shot and killed retired American
Gulf War veteran Chad Oulson in a
Cobb Theatres movie theater in
Wesley Chapel, Florida, United States. The shooting occurred during the movie previews following a brief altercation between the two men. Reeves asked Oulson to turn off his cell phone and Oulson threw popcorn at Reeves.
In 2017, Reeves' legal team attempted to use Florida's
stand-your-ground
A stand-your-ground law (sometimes called "line in the sand" or "no duty to retreat" law) provides that people may use deadly force when they reasonably believe it to be necessary to defend against certain violent crimes (right of self-defense) ...
law as the basis of his defense, which was initially rejected by the court. In 2022, Reeves was acquitted of second-degree murder and aggravated battery.
Death
On 13 January 2014, Oulson and his wife Nicole were preparing to watch the movie ''
Lone Survivor''; retired law enforcement officer Curtis Reeves and his wife were watching from the row behind the Oulsons.
Chad Oulson texted his daughter's babysitter; Reeves told Oulson to turn off his cellphone and to not use it in the theater. Reeves then exited the theater to complain to theater personnel, then returned to his seat. Chad Oulson threw popcorn at Reeves, who drew a
.380 caliber
The .380 ACP (9×17mm) ( Automatic Colt Pistol) is a rimless, straight-walled pistol cartridge developed by firearms designer John Moses Browning. The cartridge headspaces on the mouth of the case.Wilson, R. K. ''Textbook of Automatic Pistol ...
handgun and fired, shooting Nicole Oulson in the finger
and fatally wounding Chad Oulson.
Chad Oulson died later the same day.
Reactions
According to witness Alan Hamilton, an off-duty police officer, Reeves' wife said "that was no cause to shoot anyone", to which Reeves scolded her with his finger and said "you shut your
xpletivemouth and don't say another word". Reeves insisted that he killed Chad Oulson because he felt threatened by the younger, more physically fit individual.
According to several sources, Reeves was also texting during the previews, responding to a text from his son.
Trial
In 2017, a judge ruled that Reeves could not take shelter under the Florida's
Stand Your Ground law
A stand-your-ground law (sometimes called "line in the sand" or "no duty to retreat" law) provides that people may use deadly force when they reasonably believe it to be necessary to defend against certain violent crimes (right of self-defense) ...
, a decision that would later be overturned on appeal, leaving the determination of self-defense to the jury. Tampa defense attorney Richard Escobar referred to the case as "the largest self-defense case ever in Florida".
Eight years after the event, in February 2022, Reeves was acquitted of second-degree murder and aggravated battery.
During the trial, Reeves stated that the confrontation made him more afraid than anything else in his life, including his
SWAT
In the United States, a SWAT team (special weapons and tactics, originally special weapons assault team) is a police tactical unit that uses specialized or military equipment and tactics. Although they were first created in the 1960s to ...
experience and entire law enforcement career, but prosecutors disputed that statement. Officers on the scene described Reeves' demeanor as extremely calm.
Post trial
In 2022, the Oulson Family Foundation was established to provide funds for children who have been affected by gun violence, including counseling, medical attention, and college tuition.
References
External links
Oulson Family Foundation official website{{DEFAULTSORT:Oulson, Chad
2014 in Florida
2014 deaths
Deaths by firearm in Florida
Deaths by person in Florida
Stand-your-ground law