Police: Gunman in La. theater killings a 'drifter'

Luke Skywalker · Jul 24, 2015

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[h=4]Police: Gunman in La. theater killings a 'drifter'[/h]The gunman who shot and killed two people in a packed movie theater in Lafayette, La., was described Friday as a middle-aged "drifter" from Alabama who apparently planned to flee the area.

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Police identified the man accused of opening fire in a Lafayette, Louisiana movie theater as John Russel Houser from Alabama. Houser is accused of shooting 11 people and then killing himself during an evening showing of 'Trainwreck.' KHOU

Mugshot shown during a press conference of John Russel Houser, a suspected gunman who shot and killed two people in a packed movie theater in Lafayette, La., before killing himself.(Photo: KHOU-TV, Houston)

LAFAYETTE, LA. — A*gunman who*shot*two people to death in a packed movie theater in Lafayette, La., before killing himself was described Friday as a middle-age "drifter" from Alabama who apparently planned to flee the area, possibly using wigs and other disguises.
The shooter was identified as John Russell Houser, 59, of Phenix City, Ala.,*Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft said.
He was "a drifter who just happened to be in this theater and just took two beautiful lives," said Col. Michael Edmonson*of the Louisiana State Police. He said Houser was apparently acting alone.
His arrest record, according to Phenix City police, lists incidents of alleged theft in 2011 and domestic violence in 2007, WRBL-TV reports.*The TV station also said Houser had been*denied a pistol permit in Russell County,*Ala.
Police in Lafayette painted a picture of Houser as an individual with mental and financial problems who was estranged from his family. In 2008. documents filed by family members seeking protection said Houser had a "volatile mental state."
USA TODAY
Lafayette shooter showed some extreme views

Edmonson, from the Louisiana State Police, said authorities had spoken to Houser's family since the shooting and that "*his mom had loaned*him some money, he was going to*get his life together, he told them."
Witnesses said the melee Thursday evening began about 20 minutes into the screening of the*film*Trainwreck*at the Grand 16 Theatre when the gunman stood up and fired*13 times at random inside the theater, packed with 300 moviegoers.
"The information we have at this time indicates that he was by himself, sat by himself and the first two people he shot were sitting right in front of him," Craft said.

Lafayette police stand outside of the Grand Theater on July 23, 2015 in Lafayette, Louisiana. Three people are dead and seven more injured after a gunman opened fire inside the Grand Theatre.*(Photo: Stacy Revere, Getty Images)

Mayci Breaux, 21, of Franklin, La., died at the scene and Jillian Johnson, 33, of Lafayette, died at the hospital, police said.
Nine people, ranging in age from late teens to their 60s, were injured, including one who remains in critical condition.
Police said Houser had parked his 1995 Lincoln Continental, with switched phony license plates, near the theater's exit and was apparently trying to escape when officers arrived. He had left his keys on top of one tire.
"It is apparent that he was intent on shooting and then escaping,"*Craft said. "Quick law enforcement response forced him back inside the theater, at*which time he shot himself."
Police said Houser had been carrying an extra magazine of ammunition, which he dropped*in the lobby while*trying to*escape. He picked it up and went back into the theater where he shot himself, according to*authorities.
Police later searched Houser's*room at a local Motel 6 where he had apparently been staying for a few weeks, Craft said. They found*wigs, glasses and other disguises.
An emotional Craft said it's frustrating not knowing the shooter's motive. "Why would you come here and do something like this?" he asked during a news conference Friday morning.
Witnesses said Houser had*entered the theater alone. Police said surveillance video*showed him buying a*ticket normally like other patrons.
There was no warning before the gunman opened fire.
"We heard a loud pop we thought was a firecracker," Katie Domingue of Carencro said. She was at the 7 p.m. showing of Trainwreck*with her fiance, Joshua Doggett, in Theater No. 14. About 20 minutes into the movie, Domingue said, she heard a loud noise.
She said she saw "an older white man" standing up and shooting down, not in her direction.
"He wasn't saying anything. I didn't hear anybody screaming either," Domingue said.
She heard about six shots, she said, before she and Doggett ran to the nearest exit, leaving behind her shoes and purse.
"Everyone was just running down the stairs, freaking out, climbing over stairs, people," said Lucas Knepper, a senior at Louisiana State University. "Everyone was screaming;*it was awful."
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal spoke emotionally from the scene, hailing the first responders.
"I want to praise the law enforcers who ran toward danger," Jindal said. "This is a time for us to come together. What we can do now is pray. We can hug these families, shower them with love, thoughts and prayers."
"This is an awful night for Lafayette, an awful night for Louisiana, an awful night for the United States," a somber Jindal said.
Lafayette is about 60 miles west of Baton Rouge.
Contributing: The (Lafayette, La.) Daily Advertiser, Susan Miller in McLean, Va., The Associated Press

DEADLY MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING IN LA.Louisiana theater gunman identified as 'drifter' | 02:37Police identified the man accused of opening fire in a Lafayette, Louisiana movie theater as John Russel Houser from Alabama. Houser is accused of shooting 11 people and then killing himself during an evening showing of 'Trainwreck.' KHOU

DEADLY MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING IN LA.Louisiana governor lauds heroism from victims, police | 01:27Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal described "amazing acts of heroism and selflessness" performed by Lafayette theater shooting victims and cops. He pinpointed teachers who pulled a fire alarm and cops who prevented the gunman from causing more harm. VPC

DEADLY MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING IN LA.3 are dead, 9 injured in Louisiana theater shooting | 01:14Investigators say a 59-year-old man opened fire at the Grand Theater in Lafayette, Louisiana during a showing of 'Trainwreck.' Three people are dead, including the gunman. Nine people are hospitalized with a range of injuries. KHOU

DEADLY MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING IN LA.Survivor of La. theater shooting: 'It was just awful' | 02:42A 21-year-old college student and his friend were in the evening showing of 'Trainwreck' in Lafayette, Louisiana when a 59-year-old man opened fire in the theater. They described the scene, where three people died, as chaotic. USA TODAY

DEADLY MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING IN LA.Police Chief: Theater Shooting Scene Is Horrific | 00:45A gunman sitting in a packed movie theater stood up about 20 minutes into the showing of "Trainwreck" and began firing into the crowd, killing two and injuring at least nine others Thursday before fatally shooting himself, officials said. (July 24) AP

DEADLY MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING IN LA.Jindal: Pray for Louisiana shooting victim's families | 01:22A gunman opened fire at a movie theater in Louisiana on Thursday evening, killing two people and injuring at least seven others before shooting himself, officials said. (July 24) AP

DEADLY MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING IN LA.Several dead in Louisiana movie theater shooting | 01:08At least two people were killed and several wounded when a gunman opened fire at a movie theater in Louisiana. The gunman is reportedly dead.
Video provided by Newsy Newslook

DEADLY MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING IN LA.Raw: Multiple victims in Louisiana theater shooting | 00:41A man opened fire Thursday night at a movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana, leaving two people dead and several injured, according to authorities. TheAdvertiser.com

DEADLY MOVIE THEATER SHOOTING IN LA.ShowBiz Minute: Schumer, Jolie, Swift | 01:05Amy Schumer 'heartbroken' by shooting at 'Trainwreck' screening; Angelina Jolie to direct war movie for Netflix; Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj put MTV spat behind them. (July 24) AP

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Police: Gunman in La. theater killings a 'drifter'

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