Chad Oulson, who was killed after texting during a movie in Wesley Gardens, Florida this week, is being remembered by friends as a devoted husband and father.
Oulson, 43, loved his three-year-old daughter Lexi and often took her out to the pool or places like the zoo.
“He was always at the community pool playing with kids, loved the water, loved her,” Saverio Mongelli, a friend and neighbor, told ABC.
Mongelli and his wife frequently spent time with Oulson and his wife Nicole, enjoying holidays with them and moving into the same neighborhood three years ago.
Good, genuine person, funny guy,” Mongelli added, before crying.
Oulson and his daughter. (Facebook)
(Facebook)
Oulson was killed during a showing of “Lone Survivor” after he texted his daughter. Police say that he and retired police officer Curtis Reeves Jr. got into an argument over the texting. Reeves left to find an usher that would tell Oulson to turn off his phone. After returning, the two exchanged words. Reeves pulled out a pistol and opened fire.
Oulson’s wife reached out her hand as Reeves pulled the gun out and the bullet ended up going through her hand.
A witness, Alex Cummings, said Oulson took a few stops and said “I can’t believe I’ve been shot.” He fell down and died seconds later.
Oulson and his wife had gone on a lunch date after his wife called in sick, because they worked different shifts. They planned to pick their daughter up from daycare after the movie.
Oulson’s friend Joseph Trapani said that Oulson didn’t carry weapons, and that Reeves never should have shot him. Trapani said that Oulson’s death is a big loss.
“It is just going to be a huge hole in everybody’s lives for him and his family. He'd give you the shirt off his back if he needed to.”
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