Lone Gunman Kills 2, Injures 9 Others in Lafayette Movie Theatre Shooting in US

A lone white gunman has reportedly attacked the Lafayette movie theatre in Louisiana, United States on Thursday, 23rd of July, barely 20 minutes into the showing of the "Trainwreck" movie. The man identified as John Houser, 58 stood up and started firing gunshots at the crowd killing two people in front of him and also injuring no fewer than 9 other people before shooting himself in the head when he noticed the police were trailing him.

 

According to the authorities, the gunman initially attempted to disappear among the terrified crowd who were running helter skelter. He changed his mind and turned back when he noticed the presence of the police at the scene of the crime. He allegedly shot himself in the head at the theater as the police officers heard a single gunshot and later found his dead body.

The police described the shooter as a man with a criminal history but did not immediately disclose his name. Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft said the gunman was by himself and started the rampage by shooting the two people sitting in front of him. The victims who died in the movie theatre shooting have been identified as Mayci Breaux, 21 and Jillian Johnson, 33
At least one theatergoer described the attack, saying an older man stood up about 20 minutes into the 7:10 p.m. showing of the movie "Trainwreck" at the Grand 16 theater in Lafayette and began shooting.

"We heard a loud pop we thought was a firecracker," Katie Domingue told The Advertiser.

"He wasn't saying anything. I didn't hear anybody screaming either," said Domingue, who added that she heard about six shots before she and her fiance ran to the nearest exit, leaving behind her shoes and purse.
President Barack Obama was briefed on the shooting aboard Air Force One by Lisa Monaco, his homeland security adviser, while on his way to Africa for a two-nation visit, the White House said.

Obama asked his team to keep him updated on the investigation and the status of those wounded. He also offered his thoughts and prayers to the community and to the families of those killed.

John Houser was described as a drifter who arrived in the state less than a month ago and was staying in a motel.