Shooting at movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana — 3 dead including gunman
(Screenshot/KLFY 10 News) The Grand Theater in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Thursday.
A 59-year-old white male opened fire in a movie theater Thursday night in Lafayette, Louisiana, killing at least two and injuring nine before turning the gun on himself, police officials said.
Lafayette police chief Jim Craft told reporters that three people were killed in the shooting, including the gunman, who apparently killed himself as police arrived on the scene. At least nine people were injured and taken to three area hospitals, Craft and other officials said.
Police early Friday morning identified the shooter as John Russel Houser, who they described as a "drifter" who had been in the Lafayette area since early July. At least 13 rounds were fired in the shooting, Craft told reporters Friday morning. He said that "as far as we know, one 40-caliber handgun is involved."
"We have not found that Mr. Houser was working with anyone," he said. Police searched his motel room overnight and found wigs, glasses, and "things used to change one's appearance." They also found in his room the licenese plate under which his car was registered — he had switched the tags, Craft said.
Police identified the victims as Mayci Breaux, 21, and Jillian Johnson, 33.
Lafayette resident Katie Domingue told The Daily Advertiser that 20 minutes into the 7 p.m. showing of "Trainwreck," she heard "a loud pop" and saw an "older white man" shooting, though not in her direction.
"He wasn't saying anything," Domingue said. "I didn't hear anybody screaming either."
(NBC) Police photo of suspect John Russel Houser, 59.
Lafayette police received a 911 call about 7:30 p.m. local time, reporting an active shooter at The Grand Theater on Johnston Street. The police were in the area and on the scene in under a minute. Four officers entered the theater and found that the gunman had apparently killed himself after discharging his weapon multiple times.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal said Friday morning that the shooter had planned to leave the theater alive, and his car was parked near the exit. When he saw law-enforcement officials approaching the theater as he went to leave, he shot himself, Jindal said.
Lafayette police officers were deployed to other theaters in the city and closed a second Grand Theater location as a precaution.
"We don't know if this was just a random act or whether it was a domestic situation," Craft said. "We really don't have that information and are not far enough along to be able to determine that."
One theatergoer, Jalen Fernell, told CNN he was in a nearby theater when he heard the gunshots. He thought they were part of the movie.