Do you believe the policeman was justified? Why or why not?

not a reasonable reaction to the situation. A box of popcorn, not a weapon! It looked as though the theater was almost empty anyway, Just move! Good God, why go to such an extreme over a stupid movie.

Texting is not life threatening is it ..

should have used a cooler head with his ecperince

The guy texting was not posing a threat. The use of deadly force is to be used only for lifeor limb.

Any physical abuse by the aggressor in a movie theater would be limited and probably not serious and even more probably not fatal

This idiot was in no physical danger.

It wasn't clear that severe bodily injury or death was likely.

I think he let his temper get in the way of his judgement.

When you carry a gun, you need to avoid, evade or escape not escalate a violent encounter.

not justify

be absolutely sure of using deadly force prior to pulling out the gun

no imminent threat existed (according to press and witnesses)

It looks as though there were plenty of seats available, the gentleman, being more mature should have simply moved, I am sorry, this happened, especially having served his community, for many years.

There were other options available

I don't believe a "reasonable" person would have felt that his life was threatened or that he was facing serious bodily harm. Personally, I wouldn't even have gone to the manager, I would have moved.

Even though the antagonist was bigger, younger and stronger, all he did was throw popcorn and a phone at him. Sometimes it's better to take a beating.

The actor didn't have a deadly weapon, cop had no right to shoot him.

His life was not in danger

Drawing weapon is a very serious issue----last RESORT !!

No deadly force was presented towards retired officer. There was a chance to walk away.

For 1 I don't know how texting would bother anyone, it doesn't make any noise or anything. But if it did bother him that much all he had to do was move.

Getting hit with popcorn is not a life threatening situation. Should have not even complained to the manager. Should have gotten up and moved to another seat.

It seemed to me, that there was no deadly force exerted by the shooting victim , popcorn does not seem deadly, unless it was poisoned .

He could have moved to another seat

The attacker obviously had anger management issues which could have been for a variety of reasons - but deadly force is not justified unless the attacker started physically beating on the victim

The disproportionate use of force was not justified by the shooter.

being a trained policeman he should have had more control of the situation, he would have told someone else they should have moved,and then arrested them!

It was an overreaction on the part of the 71 year old and he was the aggressor, he started and escalated the situation. He could have moved or ignored the texting.

The first rule of self defense is "avoidance". If the policeman had moved to another location, the situation would have been deescalated there by avoiding the situation.

Because texting didn't infringe on his rights. He started it. He should have let it go.

The retired officer's life was not in danger. He should have moved. There were plenty of empty seats. The manager should have stepped in quickly

His life was not in danger at that time. He could have just moved away.

He walked away from the threat and then returned to the scene. The purpose of using deadly force is to protect yourself. He protected himself by removing himself from the situation.

Cause for real concern however at this time I see no need for deadly force. Turning and walking away may have been a better choice. CCW holder Bill

Because having Popcorn thrown at you, is an irritant and not a threat.

Shooter was trained to deescalate situations. All CC classes teach to avoid confrontations by leaving the area-he should have changed his seat & waited for management to arrive.

it hadn't yet escalated to the point that lethal force was justified. The man never actually touched the older guy and it is unlikely that it would have. Also, he was instigating the confrontation.

After throwing the popcorn he goes backward out of frame. No longer in arms reach. No need to pull the trigger at that point.

Popcorn throwing does not make for a deadly life threatening encounter. The reaction to popcorn was instant - it looked more like the Capt already had his gun in his hand, it was that quick.

He was a loose cannon; good thing he was retired. I have to wonder, is this how he reacted when he was an active officer of the law?

If the man had started to hit him then I could see dealt force to be used but all he did was throw popcorn an a cellphone wow that would have hurt

Supposition didn't prove he was to be killed or harmed. He could have pulled his gun to protect himself or try avoiding the fight. Then see. He didn't show a weapon only his anger and aggression.

Not a Justifiable situation to use force.

Neither cell phones nor popcorn are generally recognized as lethal weapons; All involved were in a very public place by definition - the idiot (shooter) was in no/zero/nada danger of any kind.

the first rule never shoot in a scenario you can remove yourself from he should have moved and never let it get that far there was a row of seats in between them BUT a knife is dangerous at 21 feet

Hell No! What could have possibly led the officer to believe his LIFE was in danger? If he was that bothered by the guy on his phone, there were plenty of open seats, he could have simply moved.

Because it is not clear weather he was in serious danger.

Texting at a movie is annoying but isn't worth escalating to this point. He should've moved as the theater was nowhere near full. Texting guy was out of line, too but shouldn't have had to die for it.

If the manager did nothing to resovle the issue, he should have just moved to another seat, without confrontation

I did not see "intent to kill or seriously injure". In addition, it always takes 2, and this retired cop should have moved away from the threat. 2 boneheads, 2 families hurt. Sad.

Be responsible with your weapon. Do not kill people for stupid shit. Exercise deadly force only when your life is threatened.

The shooter had the option to relocate to avoid any conflict. The reaction of the young man was in part due to an argument begun by the shooter. While the victim was rude, that should not be a shootin

I feel his life was not immediately threatened at that point to justify him pulling his firearm.

He had opportunity to escape. Had me made that attempt to then be confronted by the 'aggressor/texter' to the effect that escape was no longer a viable option, Escape to fight another day.

He should have moved seats and used enough common sense to realize that popcorn wasn't leathal force

He didn't take all reasonable action to remove himself safely before using deadly force

There's nothing said that would make you believe his life was threatened.

He was looking for a fight from the beginning. He could have sat someplace else. There will always be someone texting or talking or what-have-you at a PUBLIC movie theater. He CREATED any danger there