(SEE UPDATES AT BOTTOM OF POST)
Local media is reporting that at least seven people were injured in a shooting at a movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana. City Marshal Brian Pope has told sources that there are potential fatalities, but the shooter is dead, having taken his own life.
The shooting happened about 20 minutes into a 7 p.m. showing of the movie Trainwreck, according to The Advertiser, which quoted theatergoer Katie Domingue.
Watch this report with eyewitness account via, CNN:
Watch the police press conference report below, via CNN:
UPDATE––10:07 p.m. EST: Governor Bobby Jindal tweeted that he is heading to Louisiana:
Prayers for Lafayette at Grand Theater. Talking to state police colonel about shooting in Lafayette.
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 24, 2015
I’m on my way to Lafayette right now. Please say a prayer for the victims at Grand Theatre and their families. — Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 24, 2015
Witnesses said that they heard a “pop” as if from a firecracker before seeing an older white male walked into the theater and opened fire. Numerous figures are on the ground and on Twitter as news is pouring in:
UPDATE … gunman committed suicide after mass shooting at movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana http://t.co/AaqIuxfYXk via @washtimes
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) July 24, 2015
6 injured in movie theater shooting in Lafayette http://t.co/ptQfKK3eAz — Lozano Lux.com (@LOZANOLUX) July 24, 2015
‘Multiple Victims’ in Lafayette Louisiana Theater Shooting, Police Say – ABC News http://t.co/lQBybyWanE
— Info Empowerment (@WeEmpowerment) July 24, 2015
BREAKING: Police responding to shooting at movie theatre in Lafayette, Louisiana. Multiple people apparently hit. ![🙏]()
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams) July 24, 2015
— Montel Williams (@Montel_Williams)
Prayers for everyone in the Lafayette shooting. #LaffyStrong
— Gino (@jessi_barreiro) July 24, 2015
Already discussing “mental illness” re: white gunman in Lafayette theater shooting — NVSNOT (@hmurphy1975) July 24, 2015
#LouisianaTheaterShooting: Governor Jindal – “Talking to state police colonel about shooting in Lafayette” http://t.co/Fc3PsnnA1f
— Hollywood Reporter (@THR) July 24, 2015
#Lafayette .. this is so saddening. in my thoughts. gun violence needs to stop. — adelaide ! (@matchboxhes) July 24, 2015
Friend says, “This is Lafayette. Things like this don’t happen here.” These days, sadly, they do. God help us all.
— Ellen L. Carmichael (@ellencarmichael) July 24, 2015
Thoughts are with Lafayette tonight. We must not be numb to another act of senseless violence. — Christine D (@cdickason11) July 24, 2015
UPDATE––10:09 p.m. EST: Jim Craft, the chief of Lafayette’s police is on the scene. He spoke to CNN that he is currently trying to address the scene, sweep for any explosive devices, and get word from witnesses.
UPDATE––10:13 p.m. EST: The police’s most recent report is that there are two confirmed fatalities, including that of the shooter. A reported eight people have been injured. The scene is currently on lockdown by authorities.
UPDATE––10:29 p.m. EST: Clay Henry, the vice president of Acadian Ambulance, has said that the latest report was that there were eleven transports: two dead on arrival, and there are now a reported total of nine injured. Henry said that reports have suggested some injuries were various in severity, with three in critical condition.
UPDATE––10:42 p.m. EST: The shooter was reported on CNN to be age 58, and his body is being attended to by a coroner.
UPDATE––10:56 p.m. EST: Police said that the shooter has been identified, but declined to release the name at the time, citing the police’s need to continue their proceedings. Col. Mike Edmonson said that the theater next to the Grand 16 has also been occupied by law enforcement, and it is currently not believed that the shooter took any action outside the theater at the time.
Jindal spoke to KATV, praising the first responders and expressing his condolences to the families of those injured in the attack.
UPDATE––11:27 p.m. EST: Amy Schumer, the star of the movie in question, tweeted about the shooting:
My heart is broken and all my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Louisiana.
— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) July 24, 2015
UPDATE––11:56 p.m. EST: State police have urged media and onlookers to back away from Grand 16, saying that a suspicious package has been found at the scene.
BREAKIING NEWS: Suspicious package found in area of The Grand Theatre tonight. State Police and Lafayette City… http://t.co/SoaHBvlEIJ — KLFY NEWS 10 (@KLFY) July 24, 2015
UPDATE––8:24 a.m. EST: The gunman has been identified as John Russell Houser, according to the Associated Press.
BREAKING: Police: Louisiana movie theater shooter identified as John Russell Houser.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 24, 2015
[image via screengrab]
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