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Authorities: Argument over texting leads to man being fatally shot at Florida movie theater

Associated Press
Published | Updated
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    Authorities stand outside Cobb theater after a shooting in Wesley Chapel, Fla., Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. Authorities say a retired Tampa police officer has been charged with fatally shooting a man during an argument over cellphone use at the theater. (AP Photo/The Tampa Tribune, Cliff Mcbride) (The Associated Press)

  • 9cbd1690-Theatre Shooting
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    Patrons leave Cobb theater after a shooting Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, in Wesley Chapel, Fla. Authorities say a retired Tampa police officer has been charged with fatally shooting a man during an argument over cellphone use at the theater. (AP Photo/The Tampa Tribune, Cliff Mcbride) (The Associated Press)

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    Charles Cummings, left, and Alex Cummings talk to media after witnessing a shooting inside Cobb theater Monday, Jan 13, 2014, in Wesley Chapel, Fla. Authorities say a retired Tampa police officer has been charged with fatally shooting a man during an argument over cellphone use at the theater. (AP Photo/The Tampa Tribune, Cliff Mcbride) (The Associated Press)

WESLEY CHAPEL, Fla. – Authorities say an argument over texting in a Florida movie theater ended with a retired Tampa police captain fatally shooting a man sitting in front of him.

The former police captain, 71-year-old Curtis Reeves, has been charged with second-degree murder. It wasn't immediately clear whether he has retained an attorney.

Pasco County Sheriff's officials said the shooting happened Monday when Reeves asked 43-year-old Chad Oulson to stop texting at the theater in Wesley Chapel, a suburb about a half hour north of downtown Tampa.

Charles Cummings, who was in the theater and witnessed the shooting says Reeves and his wife were sitting behind Oulson and his wife. Oulson told Reeves he was texting with his 3-year-old daughter.