Would you shush this guy in a movie theater?
You know the feeling so well. You go to a movie --yeah, you're already ahead of me on this-- and somebody's talking. It's distracting, it's rude, it's annoying. You might try one "shhhh" but you'll usually get a face full of obnoxious and continued noise, possibly louder, in response.
It's so frustrating, you just want to pop 'em one.
Well, guess what? That's exactly what a guy did, right here in a Philly multiplex on Christmas night. Pulled out a gun and shot another guy. Not even for talking -- for laughing. At the movie The Curious Case of Benjamin Button of all things.
First reports said a man and his family were laughing together at some funny scenes. A guy shushed them, then threw popcorn at one of the kids. Words were exchanged. Another guy got involved. A minor melee ensued. Somebody pulled a gun and shot the family's father.
The theater emptied as people ran for the exits. The shooter sat back down and resumed watching the movie. Which was, incredibly, still playing. Police arrived, arrested him in his seat and took the gun he'd put back in his pants.
As you can imagine, various versions of what happened have circulated widely in local media and among We the Moving-Going-Public. Here's a slightly edited report of the story that came out at the shooter's arraignment hearing yesterday, reported in all the media, this from the Phila Inquirer:
On Christmas evening, Woffard Lomax Jr. was in a theater with his girlfriend and her three teenagers, laughing as they enjoyed The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Then came the shush. "Be quiet," said a man sitting in front.
"We can't laugh?" asked Lomax, 31.
More words were exchanged. A second man pelted Lomax and one of the teens with popcorn. People stood and a brawl ensued.
Lomax, recounting the exchange in court yesterday, said he was fighting with the man who told him to quiet down. Then the one who threw the popcorn pulled out a gun and fired, striking him in the left arm, he said.
Greg Pagano, [the shooter's] defense attorney, said his client was trying to break up the melee and fired in self-defense while being choked and punched.
"He's a marksman," Pagano said. "If he wanted to shoot to kill, he would have."
Well, that's certainly comforting. And quite a creative defense.
Here's the kicker: the shooter, James Cialella, is an Army sergeant who returned from serving in Iraq in September, honorably discharged. His lawyer says he's newly married, goes to church and to college. No word on any prior incidents of violence, or if he had a permit to own and more important, carry the gun.
This whole thing troubles me on many levels. I hate the war. I support our troops. I believe everybody who's been in combat comes home changed, damaged, some more than others. Sgt. Cialella only served in Iraq 5 months, not clear why or in what capacity, but war is hell for even one day.
Then there's the fact that though a newlywed, he took himself to a movie theater alone on Christmas night to see a benign movie comedy, and for some reason felt it necessary to bring along a Kel-Tec .380-caliber handgun, hidden in his waistband.
Something about this doesn't add up. But. I hate guns. I am vehemently opposed to people leaving guns lying around the house or carrying guns around in public places, especially those frequented by children.
And while we've all felt our share of anger at loudmouths, I'm definitely opposed to people shooting people at the movies to shut them up.
The bullet caused the victim a broken arm. Otherwise he's okay. Well, if you don't count being shot on Christmas night for laughing in a movie theater with his family.
Cialella will go to trial on charges of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and related offenses. Attempted murder is off the list now. Apparently the judge bought the marksmanship argument. He also reduced Cialella's bail from $350,000 to $50,000. And if he makes bail, Cialella can go home under house arrest.
I fervently hope he stays there and uses Netflix.
*Unbelievable Update: We already know that after shooting a fellow movie-goer, after which the theater emptied, Iraq veteran Sgt. Cialella sat down solo to resume watching The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.
Here's the part we've just learned: When officers arrived at the theater to arrest Cialella, he complained that he hadn’t seen the end of the movie yet.
Cialella's Priorities:
1. Get out of the house.
2. Go to the movies... with a concealed gun.
3. Make sure you can hear the movie clearly without interruption.
4. Shoot anybody who interferes with that goal.
5. Watch the Whole Movie, police be damned!
The man not only needs help, he needs a reality check.
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neilpaul
skeletnwmn
Will Someone Feed The Cat?
Tart & Soul
Anne Cameron Cutri
Stim
Salon.com
Comments
Yeah, what was he doing with a loaded gun in a movie theatre? I'd imagine the guy needs some serious psychological help.
(kidding)
This is the first I've heard of this incident and I'm feeling sick, disgusted and ....powerless. This guy is obviously a bundle of heated anxiety and anger and God knows what else. I don't understand how this can be passed off as NOT criminally insane.
Thank Goodness the victim wasn't killed!!
Guns are a problem, but they are not going away.
rated
Karin, it creeped me out big time. I think we'll be hearing a lot about this guy as time goes on. I hope he gets help.
Yes, guns aren't going away, but neither is my anger about the tragedies they cause.
There's definitely something wrong with this picture. I hate gun violence, and I feel that the right to go about one's business in public in the reasonable expectation of not getting shot should trump another person's right to go around armed. I'm sure being in Iraq contributed a lot to his Cialella's present state of mind. But how is his being a newly married church goer any kind of protection for the public?
Sally, how deep is the local media dwelling in speculation and pop psychology in attempts to explain this?
I have a very close friend that has served 3 times in Iraq and he seems to be doing ok. Some anxiety in the beginning and trouble sleeping, but apart from that he's one of the luckier ones. He does have a very close family and a good support network though and I think this can make all the difference in the world.
Jpkes apart I agree with the points you make. War destroys people, it kills them inside. Lomax was terribly lucky and I cannot help pitying Cialella, for something is definitely wrong with him, he's not normal.
I never carried an off-duty weapon because I felt that if I did, decisions may be made that otherwise wouldn't have been made. I used to joke that I carried an off-duty quarter so that if I saw anything bad happening, I could make a phone call and give a good description of the suspect.
I've had several friends that served in Viet Nam. Not one of them came back the same - some of them were amazingly more gentle, I'm sure because of the horrors they saw humans perpetrate on each other. Others were more silent, not being able to give voice to their pain. The one common denominator though - all were changed.
I hope that man gets the help he needs.
Thumbed. But with the safety on.
I'm sure there are plenty of cases of PTS syndrome afloat, but I would guess the percentage that manifest as this kind of violence is small. Most (sadly) result in domestic violence. Both, obviously, need to be dealt with---and both may become more prevalent as we bring the troops home in greater numbers.
Good post, Sally. I had not heard of this case before your commentary.
It's just an incredibly shocking thing. The shooter, as you rightly point out, obviously has problems if he felt the need to go to a theater, alone, on Christmas. I wonder if there had been a blowup at home with his new wife, which sent him over the edge.
Shiral, "I feel that the right to go about one's business in public in the reasonable expectation of not getting shot should trump another person's right to go around armed." Bingo! A newly married church goer is his defense so far. Nobody's come out with PTSD but it's still early.
Stim, incredibly, as I just mentioned to Shiral, nobody is talking about the role Iraq might have played. Of course you're right, we all think whoa, shot a guy, sit down and watch the movie, he's in deep denial... and trouble.
Natalie, thanks, I enjoyed my own last laugh myself, what can I say, I'm a tiny bit twisted... otoh, I do want him to stay away from the public. And I was going to mention Pitt envy, but look at this guy, jeez, what a leap of ego. Hope his family steps up.
tarheel, we are so tough we'll throw popcorn first, shot second. God help us.
Moana, I pity him too, and I don't think we have the whole story... only 5 months in Iraq when we know most spend years and mulpitle tours? Something's not right there.
Roger, I kNew you'd kNow I'd write it up. (Don't you hate not being able to edit comments? ;)
UK, what am I missing about you? Soldier? Cop? I feel like an idiot. I love this: "I used to joke I carried an off-duty quarter so that if I saw anything bad happening, I could make a phone call and give a good description of the suspect."
Bill, all of us who have friends from Vietnam get it. I'm not sure this generation does, mostly because the war's been so well hidden from them. Love "Thumbed. But with the safety on."
m., gun wielding maniacs are epidemic in Philly unfortunately. Most are not from Iraq, but street soldiers in the Drug and Gang Wars.
dr. d, whether or not he's being medicated is another subject that hasn't come out yet. I'd guess somebody wants to put him on something now, if only as a trial defense tactic.
Steve, you're so right, we'll never get good gun laws, which doesn't stop me from railing against gun violence and voting for those who at least try to curtail it. It's chilling to think this poor guy might have killed his wife if he'd stayed home.
Catamite, we are agreeing far too much. Obviously you received the package of Sally Swift's Special Kool Aid I sent.
There are so many dangerous mentally ill people who broadcast their problems long before they kill someone. Yet they get out there to kill, anyway.
We just had the "Santa Killer", who dressed up as Santa, wiped out 9 people, burned their house down, then killed himself.
I don't know why deranged people get to run around with guns, but at least one of them is dead, and one has been yanked off the streets, hopefully for good. Too late for a family that has lost their father.
But that doesn't matter. They were Black, so we can joke about it. The California killer dressed up as Santa, so we can joke about it.
We'd better stop joking.
Rated.
This is WHACKO!!! Good Lord!!!
Now I don’t know the whole story here, and I certainly DON’T condone shooting somebody, but I suspect the “victim” here is probably not as innocent as he’s letting on. I base my suspicion on personal experience.
My son was 8 and I took him to see Godzilla. First of all, some exec at Sony SHOULD BE SHOT for trashing up a innocent morality play for children with sex and cussing. But that wasn’t my real problem – my real problem was the lady sitting behind me who brought her 4 and 5 yr-old (I’m guessing) sons to the movie and let them run up and down the aisles all thru the movie screaming and shouting – run up and down with those cutesy little tennies with flashing blue lights in the heels.
In total and complete exasperation, I asked “Could you please keep your kids quiet?” At which point she stood up and started punching me. “I’ll beat your fucking ass!” she said, “step outside, Motherfucker!”
Now contrary to the accusation made about me elsewhere on OS, I do not hit women – even when they so richly deserve it (if I’d had a gun, I might have shot her, though). Besides, I think she probably would have kicked my ass.
In any case, I wasn’t about to take the idiocy any further. She left with her little bastard spawn, and I remained seated - while my 8-year old stared at me in total disbelief.
So, like I said, I suspect Mr. Lomax and crew were not totally innocent in this, especially since two unrelated parties took exception to their “laughter”.
So now, you know why I don’t go to the movies anymore – unless I’m armed.
Next you'll be telling me he went to see "Now, Voyager."
Crazy f'ing world. I'm sick of these stories, but thanks for posting it Sally. We all need to see it.
G
zuma, yes that Santa Killer story was horrendous, and people made even more horrendous jokes about the whole brutal catastrophe. There's a war right here at home.
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Aaron, you make an interesting argument and in a way we're all sufferers of PTSD in today's world. But the genuine form of the disease is a disease, not an attitude. As I sad, war changes people, even those who are able to cope with civilian life. I'd think anyone who's seen war wouldn't expect all his brothers/sisters in arms to react the same way.
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Biblios, you said a mouthful....
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Lauren, I wonder what'll happen when Dubya starts going to the movies.
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Mother, you are da bomb! "would you like a king size Junior Mints and a Bulletproof Vest ... it's a combo deal???" (I only wish I'd thought of that first, dammit!)
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Tom? You okay? Man, you're passionate on this one, pal. I do think the kind of movie is a pretty good predictor of who's gonna show up to watch it.
You had an experience that happens every day in movie theaters everywhere. People don't like taking orders from strangers, even if they know they're behaving badly. But they rarely reply with guns.
Mr. Lomax has stayed completely mum in the media. "We can't laugh?" was, according to witnesses so far, said mildly in the theater. No surprise others got in the act... who passes up a good chance to throw popcorn? I know care what happened, NOBODY should be shooting off anything but their mouths.
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Faith, thanks for stopping by. Nice to meetcha.
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JohnnyBoni, I think he might have mentioned he thought he was showing up for Sex and the City.
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Greg, you said a mouthful and I agree. I'm amazed there haven't been more gun arguments here, but perhaps it's early...... oy.
I also think it is outrageous that the man sat down to watch the movie again, as tho life just goes on after you pull out a gun and shoot someone in a theater who does something you don't like.
today a man I don't know mentioned something at work about the Santa killer then told me his mother killed herself on her birthday. first she put coffee on the burner, on low, for her husband to have when he came home. we just never know, he said, then left the room with "well, have a nice day."
okay.
I'm going to see Benjamin Button tonight. I think I'll wear my bulletproof bra. Of course, I'll have to get a bulletproof bra before I can wear it, but I hear stores are having big sales now. maybe I can fake it with a couple of tin cans and string. If nothing else, I can use it as a telephone to call for help.
Tom, you can speak here unlicensed any time you want. If I disagree I'll say so, but mostly I tend to agree and enjoy what you have to say, so blast away. (I hate those flashing shoes for two reasons: 1. More unnecessary batteries for landfills and 2. Anything that shouts Look at me! Look at me! isn't the way I want my kid to learn the right lesson about self-esteem.
Paris, you've got me laughing at the idea of going to the movies in a bullet-proof bra. They're selling well in Philly now.
Michael, you sure have mastered the art of understatement...
I'm with you about chalking this one up to the War.
Mary, I totally agree, PTSD is rampant, still for those who went through Vietnam, which now seems even more horribly primitive, jungle vs desert, what a choice. Of course the gov'mnt. can't acknowledge it, then they'd have to DEAL with it!
David, well, I know I know it but I can't remember what you're saying... oy.
hyblaean ( okay, I'm joining those begging you to change your name to something we can pronounce and SPELL:) and everybody else on the PTSD defense bandwagon: I'm guessing it's a factor, but have one problem with it. The guy only served 5 months in Iraq. Who's ever heard of someone doing that? Something else is going on here.
A sad situation here, though. I just read in the NYT today that there's an alarming number of deaths by Iraq and Afg War vets when they come home. Domestic violence and such. I'm with Bill S. and others who think it's kind of absurd to train men for one thing and then want them to do something else when we say stop. The NYT article said someone was looking into army recruiting methods to see if any of this was preventable, which sounds to me like did they get guys that were already inclined toward violence. But back to Bill's point: Even if they weren't--we were just going to teach it to them for pay anyway.
Cowards use weapons.
A friend of mine is an NRA member (complete with Heston is my president poster) and he is convinced that I (a democrat) want to take his guns away.
No but I'd like to put an IQ meter on triggers...
I'm working on a slightly related post... Up soon...
I've heard of a Sally Swift from Marine on St. Croix.
Same person?
The marksmanship argument is frightening. My client could have murdered you if he wished, but he did not wish, erego you have only this well-deserved broken arm. But prison isn't the answer either. He should have to do like 5 years of community service, including a year of personal family service to his victim, while he recovers - this would include driving him around places, and helping him with tasks that he can't do because his arm is in a cast.
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David, thanks, and, DUH!
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gonzoid, there were fisticuffs, the shooter claims that's what drove him to his weapon. I say if he brought the gun, he was planning to use it. "I'd like to put an IQ meter on triggers..." Great line! I've always maintained if you have to pass a test to drive a car you should have to pass a test to use a gun. At the Very least.
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Fallen Rock, I don't even like people shooting others in the movies! SS from St. Croix pas moi, sorry.
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Bob, you're right in that it's odd Cialella shot once, sat down, watched the movie. But you then say: "Since government was not there to protect Lomax and may have caused the problem in the first place, why not allow citizens to protect themselves with firearms? I know it is not the politically correct position to take but why not equip yourself to care for your needs -- including self-defense?" GOOD GRIEF! You want to arm Lomax and everybody else in the theater too??? Can you say "CHAOS" and "ANARCHY"?
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UK, Deputy Sheriff?? You MUST tell us some stories!
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Sandra, I like your community service ideas, especially caring for the victim. Can we just add that he must do so UNARMED and remain that way?
I immediately felt embarrassed about having acted out, but now I'm thinking I was lucky to get out of the theatre with my life! ;-)
I don't see it that way, I'm an adult, they were kids, race doesn't matter to me. I shushed them once over my shoulder with a quick Mom Glare... they got quiet right away. That told me they knew how to behave.
Then they started again, they're teens, out alone, feeling cocky, one saying just loud enough for me to hear, bitch! I swung fully around, started to rise and hissed, loud, "You use that mouth to your mother or your grandmother? NO! Then you don't use it to me or anybody else either!"
Guess what? They slid down and shut up for the rest of the movie.
Here's another Guess What: when this recent movie shooting story first broke, everybody, including African Americans, assumed the participants were black. What a world we live in, let's hope our new president can help change it.
Hmm, sorry for the soapbox.
Looks like national parks have been approved- maybe its more wholesome to die in the fresh air.
You see, although I am a peaceful artist who dwells in the Big City and dislikes even thinking about guns, it was clear to me that if Virginia Tech had permitted concealed carrying, some nice young engineer exactly like my brother would have whipped out his defensive weapon and dropped the deranged psycho killer in his tracks, before he killed however many dozen people he did kill. You can't tell me that a place like Virginia Tech isn't riddled with nice young engineers who see themselves as the Lone Ranger.
Different gun laws make sense in different areas. Tighter gun control is desirable in dense, urban areas, where accidents have a greater likelihood of harming someone, and where tempers flare simply because of proximity and stress. In rural areas, however, where the nearest police station may be half an hour away, and large predators are occasionally a problem, a great many unfortunate situations are obviated by the presence and preparatory priming of a shotgun. One doesn't even need to fire it, merely audibly cock it when someone is in the process of removing one's bicycle from the front porch.
It amazes me that so many people seem to believe that simply banning guns will eradicate gun violence. It would be a nice start if we would rigorously enforce the many, many gun control laws already on the books; if we would decriminalize drugs, thus bringing a violent and unregulated industry under the purview of decent business practices; and if we would refrain from sending our young men off to ill-considered and unwinnable military actions, and bringing them home with PTSD to inadequate health care.
But simply saying 'we've got to ban guns' merely makes us feel self-righteous without accomplishing anything at all.
I also was just in another discussion about rude movie theater behavior and how living in an urban area with lots of violence, I only address it carefully and occasionally. I've been in a movie theater where 2 guys started fighting because one thought the other kicked his chair. and these weren't vets.
Pretty Lady, I have a big problem with guns in a home where there are also children. Safe is never safe enough. And I have a problem with our government programming soldiers to kill and then dropping them off at home with no deprogramming help. Again, what to do?
Silkstone, every public place is a potential danger area as more and more vets come home angry and damaged by the horror of war. People here at home are angry enough as it is. The problem will only get worse.