Florida Movie Theater Shooting (1 Viewer)

[gk5717]

The reason I got involved with this thread is that about a year ago I got into a situation . Let me explain. I was taking a bag of aluminum cans to a recycling place as I pulled into the lot there was a pick up truck with a trailor in front of me. The pick up stopped in the middle of the lot. I drove around it and parked in a space next to a building. Got out of my SUV and opened the rear hatch to get the bag. As I did the guy in the truck drove up to within a couple of inches to my leg and said. "You took my spot I ought to kick your a--". I replied "Go ----yourself". I then walked away. He then drove off. My question is what would I have done if he got out of the truck and approached me?
I know I should have said nothing, my bad, but it just came out.
Now this guy was in his mid 40,s and I was 66 and just had triple bypass about 4 months prior. Yes I had a pistol. Pose your own scenerios about if he got out, wait until he assaults me, turn and run, you name it. At what point do I draw the weapon? I WILL NOT draw the weapon as a scare tactic, only unless I intend to use it , that is a given. And if I used it I aim center mass.
I asked all my police friends, even an investigator for the ST Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, my jurisdiction. And each and everyone of them could give me no sound answer.
Things happen so suddenly and unexpectively that I think it,s good for people to think about these things as it could change your life.
Gary

 

[nysoldiers]

First and foremost there was NO justification for shooting to death this individual.
Move your seat, complain again to management or just leave the theatre and get your money back.
We have over 300 million guns in circulation and if everyone who gets pissed off or has a "bad day" decides to shoot first, blood will flow in the streets. The shooter must be severely punished, he deserves no mercy and an example must be made.

As far as cell phones.....technology always has benefits and detriments. Personally I see way more benefits but parents need to teach their children responsibility and respect in their use.

 

[Jack]

This is not an issue of declining manners, the influence of cell phones or the shortcomings in the management's approach to customer complaints. This is about a murderer taking a life. If this guy had not shot the other movie patron, he would have shot the taxi driver who was rude to him, the Kentucky Fried Chicken server who gave him two wings rather than a wing and a leg, the teacher who gave his son a detention or the sales assistant who refused a refund. Each of us faces these kinds of pressures every day and as a functioning member of society we learn to cope. With this man out and about, someone was going to die. It was just a matter of who and when. The irony is that the killer carried his gun to protect himself from people like himself.

 

[Go for Broke]

The reason I got involved with this thread is that about a year ago I got into a situation . Let me explain. I was taking a bag of aluminum cans to a recycling place as I pulled into the lot there was a pick up truck with a trailor in front of me. The pick up stopped in the middle of the lot. I drove around it and parked in a space next to a building. Got out of my SUV and opened the rear hatch to get the bag. As I did the guy in the truck drove up to within a couple of inches to my leg and said. "You took my spot I ought to kick your a--". I replied "Go ----yourself". I then walked away. He then drove off. My question is what would I have done if he got out of the truck and approached me?
I know I should have said nothing, my bad, but it just came out.
Now this guy was in his mid 40,s and I was 66 and just had triple bypass about 4 months prior. Yes I had a pistol. Pose your own scenerios about if he got out, wait until he assaults me, turn and run, you name it. At what point do I draw the weapon? I WILL NOT draw the weapon as a scare tactic, only unless I intend to use it , that is a given. And if I used it I aim center mass.
I asked all my police friends, even an investigator for the ST Louis County Prosecuting Attorney, my jurisdiction. And each and everyone of them could give me no sound answer.
Things happen so suddenly and unexpectively that I think it,s good for people to think about these things as it could change your life.
Gary

I don't know Gary that a tough one . Like you said, you will not draw a weapon as a scare tactic and I wouldn't either and that's why I don't own a handgun. That's just me. I know you've seen a lot of bad stuff in your career, but I rather take a beating than have to go to court or worse yet, prison. If I die because of a scenario, then so be it. I'll gamble it will never happen. Sounds wimpy? Maybe.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

First and foremost there was NO justification for shooting to death this individual.
Move your seat, complain again to management or just leave the theatre and get your money back.
We have over 300 million guns in circulation and if everyone who gets pissed off or has a "bad day" decides to shoot first, blood will flow in the streets. The shooter must be severely punished, he deserves no mercy and an example must be made.

As far as cell phones.....technology always has benefits and detriments. Personally I see way more benefits but parents need to teach their children responsibility and respect in their use.

I couldn't have said it better myself.

The mind is a very fragile thing. They're are so many stressed out, over worked, rude, and deranged individuals walking around the slightest action or comment can send them over the deep end. Best to ignore them and walk away.

 

[marco55]

From the last I heard the shooter was a retired police captain.
Mark

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Previews or not, the victim was in a public place. When the shooter asked the victim to put his phone away, the victim should have apologized and put his phone away. Instead he probably mouthed off. I'm guessing the shooter couldn't find the manager. However, absolutely no reason to shoot the guy. Popcorn or not. People have no manners and common sense. I live in a relatively small town and I'm amazed that people just walk onto the crosswalk without even looking for traffic, as if they have a protective shield that would prevent them from getting hit by a car.

I would tend to say this shooter was already on a short fuse about other things going on in his life, and this just set him off. No excuse though. The end was definitely not justified !
Could you imagine sitting nearby and seeing this all happen in real time !