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Day 8 of 'stand your ground' hearing, off-duty deputy describes day of shooting

Says argument turned violent quickly
Posted at 5:18 PM, Mar 01, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-01 17:18:29-05

Al Hamilton and his wife went to a matinee showing of Lone Survivor three years ago.

The off-duty sergeant with the Sumter County Sheriff's Office had no idea what was about to happen.

Hamilton was sitting in the same row as Curtis Reeves.

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During the previews, he heard the argument and Chad Oulson answering Reeves back.

He said something to the effect of, "I was just trying to text my daughter. And he used the f-word at some point,  do you mind," said Hamilton.

Hamilton said that argument turned violent in a matter of seconds.

“I see a flick or a burst of popcorn, and then I see a muzzle blast and then I hear a gun shot.”

“Was it almost instantaneously," asked assistant state attorney Glenn Martin.

“It’s all one big ball, yes sir.”

As Hamilton rushed to Reeves, he heard Oulson say, “I can’t believe he shot me.”

“Did you ever see Mr. Oulson throw a cell phone?”

“No sir.”

“Did you ever see Mr. Oulson throw a punch?”

“No sir.”

“Did you ever see Mr. Oulson climb over the chair and try and get at Mr. Reeves?”

“I did not see that, no sir.”

Hamilton said Oulson struggled to breath as others in the theater tried to help.

He said he didn’t see any bruises on Reeves face despite claims he got hit with something.

Hamilton took Reeves gun and unloaded it.

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“He said I can’t believe what I’ve just f*** done,” said Hamilton.

Then he said Reeves’ wife told her husband, "that was no cause to shoot that man."

“He turned quickly to her, she was to his right, pointed his finger at her and told her to shut her mouth and not say another f**** word.”

In cross examination, Hamilton admitted he saw Oulson in a silhouette because the theater was dark.

He said he also didn’t know how long the argument had been going on before he noticed it.

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