Texting in movie theater sparks fatal shooting

[GoOKC1991]

Obviously, not a reason to shoot someone, but the constant texting and sometimes even filming (piracy) at movie theaters is very annoying.

Police: Texting argument in movie theater sparks fatal shooting - CNN.com

[hoya]

People should turn off their damn phones.

[kevinpate]

People should turn off their damn phones.

And leave their firearms holstered.

[BBatesokc]

Obviously, not a reason to shoot someone, but the constant texting and sometimes even filming (piracy) at movie theaters is very annoying.

Police: Texting argument in movie theater sparks fatal shooting - CNN.com

It was during the previews and he was texting his daughter. I say before the movie starts you can do what you want.

[GoOKC1991]

It was during the previews and he was texting his daughter. I say before the movie starts you can do what you want.

I fully understand. I was just talking in general, because I see it almost every time I go to the movies.

Once at a movie at Harkins, a staff member came in during the movie to check for specially people texting and told those who were to stop, this was the only time I've seen that happen.

[BBatesokc]

I fully understand. I was just talking in general, because I see it almost every time I go to the movies.

Once at a movie at Harkins, a staff member came in during the movie to check for specially people texting and told those who were to stop, this was the only time I've seen that happen.

I hear ya. Until recently we'd only go to a movie after it had been out a couple of weeks and only in the early morning to avoid all the clowns who use their phones, bring their loud kids or like to talk to each other - or even at the screen.

However, lately we reserve a seat at Penn Square and have really enjoyed it with no distractions.

[Mel]

I hear ya. Until recently we'd only go to a movie after it had been out a couple of weeks and only in the early morning to avoid all the clowns who use their phones, bring their loud kids or like to talk to each other - or even at the screen.

However, lately we reserve a seat at Penn Square and have really enjoyed it with no distractions.

The first time we went to that theatre and my wife powered that chair out she looked at me and said " I REALLY like this" which means in couple talk, this theatre and no other.

[Celebrator]

When I lived in Florida, I could never understand why people there were so angry...very short tempered and rude, generally. Stop and smell the orange blossoms, people!

[Mel]

I wouldn't mind some type of software that disables phone use while you are in the theatre. Lobby phone use only.

[RadicalModerate]

I wouldn't mind some type of software that disables phone use while you are in the theatre. Lobby phone use only.

Perhaps the same technology could be applied to drivers of vehicles in motion?
They could call this marvelous invention "Choice". . .

[tomokc]

I wouldn't mind some type of software that disables phone use while you are in the theatre. Lobby phone use only.

My wife's job requires that she be available via cellphone at all times (unless prohibited by law, such as FCC prohibition on airline flights). This would make it where she/we couldn't see a movie. When she receives a call or text, she covers the screen and walks outside to address the issue. She does this in a few other places that also prohibit phone calls.

But to the larger issue of a movie theater paying for the installation & maintenance of this hardware & software, why should they have to do that? The policy is a reasonable one, clearly stated and easily understood. I haven't seen many infractions, but if management would immediately & decisively respond to complaints, then this will cease to be a issue. In this case, a customer complained, he was ignored, and he escalated things out of control.

Management doesn't need hardware & software, they simply need to enforce their own policy.

[Mel]

My wife's job requires that she be available via cellphone at all times (unless prohibited by law, such as FCC prohibition on airline flights). This would make it where she/we couldn't see a movie. When she receives a call or text, she covers the screen and walks outside to address the issue. She does this in a few other places that also prohibit phone calls.

But to the larger issue of a movie theater paying for the installation & maintenance of this hardware & software, why should they have to do that? The policy is a reasonable one, clearly stated and easily understood. I haven't seen many infractions, but if management would immediately & decisively respond to complaints, then this will cease to be a issue. In this case, a customer complained, he was ignored, and he escalated things out of control.

Management doesn't need hardware & software, they simply need to enforce their own policy.

Your wife sounds like a polite Lady. I wish everyone would behave that way but so many people live in a bubble of self importance. I am planning to see "Lone Survivor" this weekend. At the new Penn Square Theatre of course. The seats power back and just about all you see is the screen.

[Plutonic Panda]

What an idiot. Lock this guy up for life.

[kelroy55]

What an idiot. Lock this guy up for life.

At 71 that won't be too long.

[Anonymous.]

At 71 that won't be too long.

This. Does being of an older age make people care less about the consequences of their actions?

Perhaps this man was at his "I don't care anymore" age range.


I think there needs to be more studies and research dedicated to the moral decay in elderly people, who are usually suffering in many categories of life. And consequently, help these elders go out on happier steps.

[hoya]

I think there needs to be more studies and research dedicated to the moral decay in elderly people, who are usually suffering in many categories of life. And consequently, help these elders go out on happier steps.

[PennyQuilts]

This. Does being of an older age make people care less about the consequences of their actions?

Perhaps this man was at his "I don't care anymore" age range.


I think there needs to be more studies and research dedicated to the moral decay in elderly people, who are usually suffering in many categories of life. And consequently, help these elders go out on happier steps.

Thus speaks youth. Seventy-one does NOT feel like you are on death's door. It feels a bit like 45 with more aches and pains. Now, he might have a terminal illness but it hasn't been my experience that such an event triggers homicidal behavior.

And moral decay? Are you serious?

Besides, every study I've ever seen says that people in their golden years are significantly happier than thirty somethings. That's an odd world view you've got there, bubba.

[Anonymous.]

Thus speaks youth. Seventy-one does NOT feel like you are on death's door. It feels a bit like 45 with more aches and pains. Now, he might have a terminal illness but it hasn't been my experience that such an event triggers homicidal behavior.

And moral decay? Are you serious?

Besides, every study I've ever seen says that people in their golden years are significantly happier than thirty somethings. That's an odd world view you've got there, bubba.

This is why I said there needs to be more studies and research dedicated to this. There has already been some, and specifically one that looked at even people in their 60s. But there is not enough evidence pointed at this, which is the entire premise to my post earlier.

Just put yourself in someone who is 70+ years old, dementia setting in, whose family doesn't visit him in his assisted living home, and doesn't understand modern technology... Now how much easier is it for this person to commit a crime over someone younger (for this example, in their 40s)?

These are the questions we should ask, IMO.

[Stan Silliman]

At 71 that won't be too long.

Hey, that's my age. Don't be so wishful.

[Stew]

Florida? Who knows this could end up being self defense. Perhaps the shooter felt threatened after he confronted the texter.
How big was the victim? Was he sporting a hoodie and perhaps packing skittles and a can of ice tea drink. How tragic.

[jerrywall]

What's funny to me is that no one seems to be talking about the fact that the shooter is evidently a retired police officer (a captain in fact). So either a) he's off his rocker b) they employ some really messed up career officers in florida (totally possible) or c) there's more to this story than simply shooting someone for texting.

[kevinpate]

What's funny to me is that no one seems to be talking about the fact that the shooter is evidently a retired police officer (a captain in fact). So either a) he's off his rocker b) they employ some really messed up career officers in florida (totally possible) or c) there's more to this story than simply shooting someone for texting.

texting, arguing, taunting over talking to a theater employee, arguing, someone throwing popcorn, gun drawn, shot fired, gunman sits down with gun in lap waits for cops, another off duty cop keeps an eye on first one.

Does it make one hoot or hollar whether the chap who brought out his gun during a cell phone argument was a retired cop, school teacher, baker, banker, bricklayer or neurosurgeon?

Anyone trained to carry is trained to not draw unless you intend to put your threat down. If someone draws on a cell phone texting, loudmouth, popcorn pitching, turd in a punch bowl, it will end badly if a round is fired, more badly if the aim is true, unless the shooter can sell it as being in fear for his life.

Preliminary reports don't suggest that this ends well for the shooter. Nor should it absent something very compelling.

[BBatesokc]

What's funny to me is that no one seems to be talking about the fact that the shooter is evidently a retired police officer (a captain in fact). So either a) he's off his rocker b) they employ some really messed up career officers in florida (totally possible) or c) there's more to this story than simply shooting someone for texting.

My vote is for "a" and "b." I didn't talk about it initially because the subject of bully cops get me pretty heated pretty fast. Because of my bias I just assume he's spent most of his life telling people what to do and they do it (because he's the one allowed to bully with a gun). When that doesn't happen he gets offended and that quickly becomes rage. No big mystery to me (but I'm admittedly jaded).

Some people will say this validates why they carry a gun - to me it validates why I don't.

I wouldn't have wanted to be on either end of that argument and I wouldn't have wanted to get into a gun fight in a theater full of people with my wife in harms way. Even if I knew I was 100% defending myself and herself, I guarantee the fact the guys a retired police captain the odds and the lies would have been stacked against me. I'd almost rather take the bullet (and hopefully live) and my innocence be absolute than to go through the hell you'd have to go through to prove your innocence against a cop shooter.

I sound anti-gun in that rant, but people who know me know I'm anything but.

[RadicalModerate]

Let's look at the "evidence" here for a moment . . .
71 y.o. former police officer (captain, ret.) . . .
46 y.o. phone texting addict . . .
Scarface (w/Al Pacino) (Movie) . . .
Flashback from the end of the "law and order" days . . .
PTSD: "OK M-frk . . . Say "hello" to MY leetle friend . . ."
(reasonable doubt? . . . maybe yes, maybe no . . .)

[Martin]

wouldn't have happened at alamo drafthouse... -M