Three Dead, Several Injured at Movie Theater Shooting in Louisiana (Updated)

John Russel Houser opened fire in a theater in Lafayette, Louisiana — killing multiple people including himself.

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Police officers report that a 58-year-old white male opened fire inside a movie theater tonight in Lafeyette, Louisiana. Police chief Jim Craft told reporters that nine people were injured and three others were killed, including the suspect, who died of a "self-inflicted gunshot wound."

JUST IN: Louisiana State Police tell CNN the Lafayette movie theater shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The conditions of the nine other victims, who were taken to various hospitals, range from non-life-threatening to critical. One victim has been released from the hospital, and three are known to be in critical condition. 

The shooting occurred tonight after 7:00 p.m. CT during a screening of Amy Schumer's new movie, Trainwreck, at the Grand Theatre on Johnston Street. 

The Lafayette Police received a call about a shooting involving multiple victims around 7:30 p.m. At the time of this reporting, they are still on scene.

Police told reporters that they have no reason to believe that any other movie theaters or other locations were targeted tonight. 

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal traveled to Lafayette tonight to speak to police officers and victims. He was in Baton Rouge at the time of the shooting. He tweeted earlier tonight, "Please say a prayer for the victims at Grand Theatre and their families."

I'm on my way to Lafayette right now. Please say a prayer for the victims at Grand Theatre and their families.

UPDATE 7/23/15 (10:32 p.m.): Governor Jindal arrived at the scene of the shooting. FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives officials have also been reported on scene.

Gov. Jindal and Congressman Charles Boustany have just arrived at the scene of the Grand 16 Theater shooting pic.twitter.com/LE0jxVOGQa
Lafayette police official on theater shooting: Still working to confirm number of fatalities. FBI, ATF are on scene pic.twitter.com/8uOTN7wInm

[h/t Brandon Wall]

UPDATE 7/23/15 10:54 p.m.: At a media conference, Chief Craft said that police have identified the shooter, but are not releasing his name at this time. He confirmed that the shooter died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Chief Craft also said the Lafayette police are currently processing the crime scene. When the department got the call, they sent police officers to movie theaters around the city as a safety precaution. 

Governor Jindal told reporters, "Whenever we hear about these senseless acts of violence, it makes us both sad and furious."

Chief Craft said officers will be working the scene through the night. It has been confirmed that there are three dead: two moviegoers and the shooter himself. Chief Craft said the suspect was "a white man in his fifties," and that officers are currently interviewing his neighbors and family.

[via KLFY]

UPDATE 7/23/15 11:33 p.m.: A witness who was inside the movie theater during the shooting told the Daily Advertiser that an "older white man" stood up and wordlessly opened fire. "He wasn't saying anything. I didn't hear anyone scream either," said Katie Domingue. 

[via NYT]

UPDATE 7/23/15 11:35 p.m.: Amy Schumer has tweeted her about the shooting tonight, which happened at a screening of her movie, Trainwreck

My heart is broken and all my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Louisiana.

UPDATE 7/23/15 11:47 p.m.: Governor Bobby Jindal met with two teachers who were injured at the movie theater. They were taken to Lafayette General Hospital. Governor Jindal told KLFY reporters that one teacher "jumped on top of the other," taking a bullet for them. The second teacher was still injured, but was able to pull the fire alarm to alert the authorities.

The second teacher is in the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries and is expected to be released tonight. The status of the first teacher is unknown.

UPDATE 7/23/15 11:50 p.m.: KLFY has reported that there was a "suspicious package" at the movie theater tonight. Video footage shows officers telling media and others to evacuate the area. 

BREAKING: Police have just yelled “Get back! Get in your houses!”. Everyone has fleed the side of the road.“

KATC also reports that an apartment building across the street from the Grand Theatre has been evacuated.

BREAKING:Apartment complex across the street is being evacuated. Greenbriar Condominiums.

UPDATE 7/24/15 12:18 a.m.: Police chief Jim Craft addressed a group of reporters and said that his department's investigation is on hold while Louisiana State Police investigate a "suspicious package" that was found inside the suspect's car. Craft says everyone has backed out of the crime scene and the State Police are now on the scene with a robot.

Colonel Mike Edmonson, who is with the Louisiana State Police, said that the bomb squad was brought onto the scene in "an overabundance of caution." He said that over the next hour, the bomb squad robot will break the suspect's car windows and explode the trunk. Then, officers will go into the theater and continue their investigation.

Brandon Wells of BuzzFeed News reported that the suspect's body and at least one of the victim's bodies are still inside the theater.

Lafayette police: Shooter’s body and at least one other victim are still inside the theater

Chief Craft also updated the toll of injuries and fatalities: nine have been injured, three are dead.

[via KLFY]

UPDATE 7/24/15 12:28 a.m.: Chief Craft answered a question from a reporter and said the suspect does have a criminal history. "Nothing recent," he said.

UPDATE 7/24/15 12:38 a.m.: CNN Breaking News tweeted that the ages of the victims range from late teens to 60s. One victim has been released from the hospital, but another is "not doing well" and needed surgical attention.

Police: The 7 injured in #Lafayette shooting range in age from late teens to 60s. 1 victim released; another in surgery and "not doing well"

[via CNN Breaking News]

UPDATE 7/24/15 1:52 a.m.: Col. Mike Edmonson reportedly said the suspect's vehicle has been "cleared."

Col. Mike Edmonson w/LSP tells me the suspects vehicle has been "cleared" @wdsu

UPDATE 7/24/15 8:20 a.m.:

Authorities have identified the shooter as John Russel Houser. In a statement released early Friday morning, police described Houser as "intent on shooting, then escaping before killing self." He was a "drifter," originally from Alabama. Police reportedly found multiple disguises in his hotel room, according to CNN. Houser's car was reportedly parked near the exit, implying he planned for a swift exit. Authorities also revealed the names of those killed during the harrowing act as 21-year-old Mayci Breaux and 33-year-old Jillian Johnson.

Shortly after the shooting, the Iberia Association of Educatorspartnered with the Louisiana Association of Educators to start raising money for two of the injured victims — teachers Jena Meaux and Ali Martin.

This story is developing.

 

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