>>>either had a huge ego or sense of self-importance that got the best of him
>That might also be said of the victim.
>He might be alive if he'd just apologized and shut up.
>
>A few disastrous episodes that I saw as a kid in the military taught me that arguing in cases like this is dangerous and being "in the right" doesn't mean much if you're dead or maimed.
>You can't know what might be going on in the head of that other person.
>You might be pouring gasoline onto a fire with each word.
>
>My kids and grandkids have heard ad nauseum from me that if an argument with a stranger becomes even slightly heated, APOLOGIZE AND GET THE HELL OUT OF THERE.

I agree the man who threw the popcorn box acted in a very stupid manner. And actually, given that the shooter is a former captain, he should have realized that tossing a box of popcorn at someone's face can be considered simple assault (with plenty of witnesses).

I realize the heightened need to "apologize and get out", though there are times where my own nature won't allow me. Sometimes I have to make late night grocery store runs, and there's an elderly gentleman who works at the local grocery store who keeps the front of the store clean, empties the carts from the parking lot, etc. Well, about a month ago, a couple of punk teenagers were messing with him (kicking carts so that he couldn't retrieve them) and one of the kids started using profanity to describe the old man - well, I'd had enough of watching and so I approached the teens (3 of them) and got right in their faces (and you've seen me , I'm only 5'7") and told them to shove off (actually said more than that). Looking back, had any of those 3 been holding, I would have been dead....but just couldn't stand to watch it.