2015 Lafayette shooting

Mass shooting in Louisiana, U.S. December 2025 July 2015 2015 Lafayette shooting The Grand 16 Theatre Lafayette Louisiana 2019.jpg 250px The Grand 16 Theatre 3141 Johnston Street, Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S. 30.20199 -92.04584 inline,title scale:50000_region:US_type:event 2015 7 23 7:27 p.m. CDT Mass shooting, murder–suicide 3 (including the perpetrator)Ahmed Saeed July 14, 2015 Gunman kills 2, then himself in Lafayette, Louisiana, movie theater https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/24/us/louisiana-theater-shooting/ July 24, 2015 CNN 9 John Russell Houser .40 caliber Hi-Point Model JCP semi-automatic pistolhttp://www.cnn.com/2015/07/25/us/louisiana-theater-shooting/ Lafayette theater shooter switched license plates, had wigs waiting in hotel CNN July 25, 2015 July 25, 2015 Karimi Faith Ellis Ralph Inconclusive On July 23, 2015, a mass shooting occurred at the Grand 16 movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana, United States.Kaplan Sarah Cusick Ashley Izadi Elahe July 23, 2015 Gunman opens fire on La. movie theater, injuring several before killing himself The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/23/gunman-opens-fire-on-la-movie-theater-injuring-several-before-killing-himself/ live subscription July 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20221220065412/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/07/23/gunman-opens-fire-on-la-movie-theater-injuring-several-before-killing-himself/ 20 December 2022 Fifty-nine-year-old John Russell Houser https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-33654509 Louisiana cinema shooting: Lafayette gunman 'had violent past' BBC News July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015Shapiro Emily Liddy Tom July 24, 2015 Lafayette, Louisiana, Movie Theater Gunman ID'd as John Russell Houser, 59, of Alabama https://abcnews.go.com/US/lafayette-louisiana-movie-theater-gunman-idd-john-russell/story?id=32653062 July 24, 2015 ABC News opened fire during a showing of the film Trainwreck, killing two people and injuring nine others before taking his own life.Rollins Samantha 24 July 2015 Wife, family of Louisiana shooter sought protective order in 2008 https://theweek.com/speedreads/568220/wife-family-louisiana-shooter-sought-protective-order-2008 2023-06-05 The Week enMaharaj Davan Davan Maharaj July 24, 2015 Today: Deadly Rampage in Louisiana Theater. https://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-todays-headlines-html-20150724-htmlstory.html July 24, 2015 Los Angeles TimesCrilly Rob Rob Crilly July 24, 2015 Two dead in cinema shooting as Obama says he was stymied on gun control https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11761213/Two-dead-in-cinema-shooting-as-Obama-says-he-was-stymied-on-gun-control.html July 24, 2015 The Daily Telegraph Shooting The shooting occurred in theater 14Chuck Elizabeth Calabrese Erin July 30, 2015 Chilling Surveillance Video Shows Lafayette Gunman in Theater Before Shooting https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/lafayette-theater-shooting/chilling-surveillance-video-shows-lafayette-theater-gunman-n401266 July 30, 2015 NBC News during the 7:10 p.m. screening of Trainwreck, held at the Grand 16 movie theater in Lafayette.Turk Leslie Stack Liam 2015-07-24 Gunman Kills 2 and Himself at Movie Theater in Lafayette, La. en-US The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/us/shooting-at-lafayette-la-movie-theater.html live limited 2023-06-05 https://web.archive.org/web/20230227212717/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/us/shooting-at-lafayette-la-movie-theater.html 27 February 2023 0362-4331 John Russell Houser, 59, went to the theater alone, bought a ticket ten minutes late into the movie,Cook Lanie Lee July 31, 2015 Videos and 911 tapes offer chilling glimpse into Lafayette shooting https://www.theadvocate.com/acadiana/news/crime_police/videos-and-911-tapes-offer-chilling-glimpse-into-lafayette-shooting/article_12a80a94-9976-5600-b96e-6f77b4ef4ac7.html July 31, 2015 The Advocate and sat for several minutes in the theater's second-to-last row. Along with Houser,Santana Rebecca Burdeau Cain July 25, 2015 Lafayette movie theater shooting survivor: "You needed a second to think, 'OK, this is real'" https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2015/0725/Lafayette-movie-theater-shooting-survivor-You-needed-a-second-to-think-OK-this-is-real July 25, 2015 The Christian Science Monitor there were 25 people in the theater and 300 people in the building.Stone Natalie Rahman Abid Lewis Hilary Couch Aaron July 24, 2015 Three Dead After Shooting at 'Trainwreck' Screening in Louisiana https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/three-dead-shooting-at-trainwreck-810847 July 24, 2015 The Hollywood ReporterEllis Ralph Botelho Greg July 25, 2015 Lafayette theater shooter bought gun legally, police say https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/24/us/louisiana-theater-shooting/ July 25, 2015 CNN He was armed with a Hi-Point Model JCP .40-caliber handgun and equipped with two 10-round magazines. Shortly before 7:30 p.m., Houser stood up, pulled out the handgun from his pants, and started shooting indiscriminately while walking down the steps. He fired at least 13 rounds and reloaded once. He killed two people and injured nine others.Shapiro Emily Liddy Tom July 23, 2015 3 Dead, 7 Injured in Lafayette Louisiana Theater Shooting, Police Say https://abcnews.go.com/US/multiple-victims-lafayette-louisiana-theater-shooting/story?id=32653062 July 23, 2015 ABC NewsPayne Ed July 23, 2015 3 dead, 7 hurt when gunman opens fire in Lafayette movie theater http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/23/us/louisiana-theater-shooting/ July 23, 2015 CNNSickles Jason Walsh Michael July 24, 2015 Lafayette gunman cased theater prior to rampage, but motive remains unknown https://news.yahoo.com/john-russell-houser--what-we-know-about-louisiana-movie-theater-shooting-suspect-134806223.html July 24, 2015 Yahoo! News The first two people Houser shot were sitting directly in front of him. The shooting was contained to one theater.Shapiro Emily Liddy Tom July 24, 2015 Louisiana Theater Gunman ID'd as John Russel Houser https://abcnews.go.com/US/lafayette-louisiana-movie-theater-gunman-idd-john-russel/story?id=32653062 July 24, 2015 ABC News After the shooting ended, Houser exited the theater through a side door and apparently tried to head for his vehicle while blending in with survivors. However, upon noticing police sirens, he retreated inside the building and fired three more shots at fleeing moviegoers before committing suicide.Ellis Ralph Botelho Greg July 24, 2015 Man described as a drifter kills 2, himself in Lafayette, Louisiana, movie theater https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/24/us/louisiana-theater-shooting July 24, 2015 CNNhttps://www.thestar.com/news/2015/07/24/theatre-shooting-scene-is-horrific-say-police.html 3 dead and more wounded as police describe theatre shooting scene as "horrific" The Star July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015http://www.theadvertiser.com/story/news/2015/07/24/update-shooting-investigation-leads-police-motel/30608859/ 'It's time to let these folks grieve' The Advertiser July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015 Four officers responded to the scene in less than a minute after receiving a 7:28 p.m. report of the shooting. After witnessing audiences fleeing and hearing gunshots, they made their way into the auditorium. Upon entering the theater, two-and-a-half minutes after arrival, they found Houser dead; he had fatally shot himself in the mouth.Cook Lanie Lee July 29, 2015 As investigation winds down on the Grand 16 Theatre mass shooting, Lafayette police turn attention to other shootings http://theadvocate.com/news/13031776-123/as-investigation-winds-down-on July 29, 2015 The Advocate September 6, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150906022507/http://theadvocate.com/news/13031776-123/as-investigation-winds-down-on dead Stegall Amber July 29, 2015 Autopsy results released for shooter, victims in Lafayette theater shooting http://www.wafb.com/story/29663088/autopsy-results-released-for-shooter-victims-in-lafayette-theater-shooting July 29, 2015 WAFB His body remained inside the theater for several hours.Kasperkevic Jana July 24, 2015 Lafayette cinema shooting: three dead including lone gunman and nine injured https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/jul/24/louisiana-theatre-shooting-3-dead-and-7-injured-after-gunman-opens-fire July 24, 2015 The Guardian After the shooting, it was discovered that he had a blood alcohol level of 0.1, while the legal limit to drive is 0.08.Stegall Amber January 13, 2016 Police Report: Lafayette theater shooter praised Charleston church shooter in journal http://www.wtvm.com/story/30957510/police-report-lafayette-theater-shooter-praised-charleston-church-shooter-in-journal dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160115070911/http://www.wtvm.com/story/30957510/police-report-lafayette-theater-shooter-praised-charleston-church-shooter-in-journal January 15, 2016 January 13, 2016 WTVM Following the shooting, the other local Grand Theatre was also closed, while the entire area was locked down as law enforcement officials searched for additional shooters.Cook Lanie Lee Gunn Billy August 5, 2015 Lafayette theater shooting tested training, reactions of police, medics and hospital workers http://theadvocate.com/news/acadiana/13051049-123/lafayette-theater-shooting-tested-training August 5, 2015 The Advocate August 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150820120547/http://theadvocate.com/news/acadiana/13051049-123/lafayette-theater-shooting-tested-training dead Victims Two women were killed by Houser in the shooting. One died at the scene, while the other died at a nearby hospital. They are:Nolan Heather August 14, 2015 Last Lafayette theater shooting victim released from hospital http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/08/lafayette_theater_shooting_mor.html August 17, 2015 The Times-Picayune Mayci Breaux, age 21, of Franklin, Louisiana, who died at the theater. She was a student at Louisiana State University Eunice and worked at the Coco Eros boutique. She died from a single gunshot wound. She was accompanied at the theater by her boyfriend, Matthew Rodriguez, who was injured in the neck and in the armpit. Jillian Johnson, age 33, of Lafayette, who died at the hospital. A visual and musical artist, she designed T-shirts, operated a gift and toy shop in Lafayette, and played ukulele and guitar for a band called The Figs. She died from two gunshot wounds. She was accompanied at the theater by her friend Julia Egedahl, who was injured in the torso and suffered serious fractures. The injuries of the survivors ranged from light to critical and were inflicted either from gunshots and/or during accidents while fleeing. The victims' ages ranged from the late teens to their 60s. Among the injured were the cousin of Louisiana Representative Charles Boustany and her husband.July 27, 2015 Congressman's Cousin Among Those Shot in Louisiana Theater https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/lafayette-theater-shooting/congressmans-cousin-among-those-shot-louisiana-theater-n398771 NBC News July 27, 2015 Egedahl, who had been shot seven times, was the last victim discharged, and left Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center on August 14.TAYLOR CLAIRE 2019-04-07 Lafayette theater shooting survivor details continued PTSD battle, recovery: 'This doesn't go away' https://www.nola.com/lafayette-theater-shooting-survivor-details-continued-ptsd-battle-recovery-this-doesnt-go-away/article_13936cb2-9353-5cf7-8cc0-46aa3d774c2c.html 2025-01-10 NOLA.com en One victim was shot four times. Investigation The Louisiana State Police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Lafayette Parish Sheriff, and Lafayette Police Department police participated in the investigation. Police believe the shooter acted alone, but have not confirmed a motive.https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-lafayette-theater-shooting-20150723-story.html 3 dead, including gunman, 7 wounded in Louisiana movie theater shooting The Chicago Tribune July 23, 2015 July 23, 2015Turk Leslie Stack Liam July 23, 2015 3 Fatally Shot and 7 Injured at Theater in Lafayette, La. https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/us/shooting-at-lafayette-la-movie-theater.html July 24, 2015 The New York Timeshttps://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/shooting-trainwreck-screening-louisiana-810847 Three Dead After Shooting at 'Trainwreck' Screening in Louisiana The Hollywood Reporter July 23, 2015 July 23, 2015 Upon investigation, officials found that Houser had been staying in a nearby motel, part of the Motel 6 chain, and discovered wigs, glasses, and disguises.https://gma.yahoo.com/louisiana-theater-gunmans-journal-found-motel-room-140115514--abc-news-topstories.html Louisiana Theater Gunman's Journal Found in Motel Room Yahoo! GMA July 27, 2015 July 27, 2015 October 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151003150124/https://gma.yahoo.com/louisiana-theater-gunmans-journal-found-motel-room-140115514--abc-news-topstories.html dead This led officials to believe that he intended on escaping before being cornered by police, leading to his suicide.https://abcnews.go.com/US/louisiana-movie-theater-gunman-john-houser-drifter-police/story?id=32660209 Louisiana Movie Theater Gunman John Houser Was a Drifter, Police Say ABC News July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015 Furthermore, he illegally switched his license plates near an exit door to the theater, and in his motel room. On late Thursday night, the police investigated Houser's car, a blue 1995 Lincoln Town Car, and found two suspicious objects with wires inside. Fearing that the items might be an explosive, the police halted the investigation. On the morning of July 24, they called the bomb squad, who blew up its windows and trunk. Similarly, investigators found three objects in the theater that they feared could be explosives and had them examined with a robot. An apartment complex behind the theater was evacuated as a precaution. The objects in the theater and in the car all turned out not to be dangerous.Turk Leslie Pérez-Peña Richard Stack Liam July 24, 2015 Lafayette, Louisiana, Gunman Identified as 'Drifter' https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/us/lafayette-theater-shooting-john-houser.html live https://web.archive.org/web/20230426185117/https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/25/us/lafayette-theater-shooting-john-houser.html 26 April 2023 July 14, 2015 The New York Times A search of the car later turned up more disguises. Investigators recovered a 39-page journal belonging to Houser, which contained the name of the theater and the time and date of the screening of Trainwreck, along with random notes and observations.http://theadvocate.com/topics/14551101-125/documents-from-lafayette-theater-shooting-released-by-police Cryptic phrases, 'Trainwreck' mentions, more revealed in Lafayette theater shooter's journal, motel photos The Advocate January 13, 2016 January 13, 2016 March 5, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160305000336/http://theadvocate.com/topics/14551101-125/documents-from-lafayette-theater-shooting-released-by-police dead However, the journal did not provide a clear motive behind the shooting.Kunzelman Michael Santana Rebecca 2016-01-14 No clear motive seen in Louisiana theater shooter's journal https://www.nydailynews.com/sdut-no-clear-motive-seen-in-louisiana-theater-2016jan14-story.html 2023-06-05 New York Daily News Investigators were also studying posts he made online to determine a motive for the shooting. They finished processing the crime scene at the theater on July 27.http://www.nola.com/crime/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2015/07/lafayette_theater_shooting_pol_3.html Lafayette theater shooting: Police finish processing crime scene, return building to owners The Times-Picayune July 27, 2015 July 27, 2015 Questions were raised about how Houser was able to obtain the gun used in the shooting. It was initially reported that he had been involuntarily committed for mental health treatment in 2008, which would have legally prohibited him from purchasing firearms. However, it was later determined that he was able to purchase the gun because a judge never committed him and instead had him undergo a mental health evaluation. Once the evaluation was done, medical authorities either had to release him, convince him to commit himself voluntarily for treatment, or petition a court to force him to undergo treatment. They never petitioned the court, but it was unclear if Houser was released or voluntarily committed. His 2008 evaluation was never officially reported to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/lafayette-shooter-able-to-purchase-gun-despite-judge-ordering-him-to-mental-hospital/2015/07/27/3e28ce6a-6ad5-4f89-ae9b-ffa8b2a495dc_story.html Lafayette shooter able to buy gun because he was never involuntarily committed The Washington Post July 27, 2015 July 27, 2015Wagner Meg July 28, 2015 Judge who detained Lafayette movie theater shooter John Houser says she couldn't force him into mental hospital: 'I did my job' http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/la-cinema-shooter-not-committed-mental-hospital-judge-article-1.2306183 July 29, 2015 The New York Daily News The Grand 16 theater was shut down after the shooting. It reopened four months later on November 19, after a ceremony honoring the victims.Frey Kevin November 19, 2015 Grand Theatre 16 in Lafayette reopens 4 months after deadly shooting http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/30563656/grand-theatre-16-in-lafayette-reopens-4-months-after-deadly-shooting dead https://web.archive.org/web/20160305180209/http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/30563656/grand-theatre-16-in-lafayette-reopens-4-months-after-deadly-shooting March 5, 2016 January 14, 2016 WMC Action News 5 On January 13, 2016, police released a 589-page report of the shooting and photos of Houser's motel room. Perpetrator The perpetrator, John Russell "Rusty" Houser, was born on November 22, 1955, and raised in Columbus, Georgia, according to law enforcement. He had a history of anti-government and far-right views, including those on race, gender, and the future of the U.S.https://www.usnews.com/news/us/articles/2015/07/25/timeline-of-theater-gunman-john-russell-housers-life/ Timeline of theater gunman John Russell Houser's life Associated Press U.S. News July 25, 2015 July 25, 2015http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/07/24/inside-the-mind-of-john-russel-houser.html Inside the Twisted Mind of John Russell Houser The Daily Beast July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015 Zavadski Katie Houser, who had been estranged from his family, was described as a wayfarer and a drifter.http://www.nola.com/crime/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2015/07/lafayette_theater_shooter_idd.html#incart_maj-story-1 Lafayette theater shooter ID'd as John Russell Houser, 'kind of a drifter' with few ties to town The Times-Picayune July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015 According to law enforcement, he graduated from Columbus High School in 1973, Columbus State University in 1988, and Columbus Technical College. According to an online LinkedIn account belonging to him, he also attended Columbus State University and Faulkner University. He owned a number of bars in Georgia. He once attended law school but dropped out. His last recorded residence was in Phenix City, Alabama, where he purchased his firearm at the Money Miser Northside Pawn shop on U.S. Route 280 in February 2014. In 2006, he tried to get a concealed carry permit, but he was denied it due to his 1989 arson arrest in Columbus and a domestic violence complaint filed by his wife in Phenix City on October 23, 2005. Houser had business ties to LaGrange, Georgia in the late-1990s. He was convicted five different times between 1999 and April 2001 for selling alcohol to minors connected to his business in the city revokes Houser's liquor license for Rusty' Buckhead Pub after his fifth conviction in a year for selling alcohol to minors. In response, Houser hung a flag with a swastika approximately the size of a bed sheet on the building where the pub operated, according to a local law enforcement official.Payne Yasmin Khorram, Ralph Ellis, Ed 2015-07-24 Lafayette shooter had history of right-wing web postings, erratic behavior https://www.cnn.com/2015/07/24/us/louisiana-theater-shooter 2025-07-16 CNN en The Columbus Police Department arrest records show that Houser was arrested three years beforehand for theft by taking for stealing his opponents campaign signs while running for tax commissioner in 1996.https://www.wtvm.com/story/29632539/a-look-back-into-the-life-of-john-rusty-houser/ A look back into the life of John 'Rusty' Houser WTVM July 25, 2015 July 25, 2015 Shortly after birth, at 7 months old, Houser set a citywide record on June 23, 1956, for the youngest child ever to be placed in a traction cast at Columbus City Hospital after his grandmother accidentally slipped on a throw-rug while carrying Houser in their Columbus home near Columbus State University, injuring both Houser and his grandmother. On December 3, 1983, Houser married Kellie Maddox, a resident of Carrollton, Georgia. They settled in Carrollton for some time. In August 1989, Houser received his first arrest on an arson charge for trying to hire a man to burn down the office of a lawyer who represented adult movie theaters, but a Columbus area judge ordered a mental evaluation for Houser on September 25 of that same year.https://www.wdsu.com/article/timeline-of-theater-gunman-john-russell-houser-s-life/3378763 Timeline of theater gunman John Russell Houser's life WDSU July 25, 2015 July 25, 2015 Houser had a history of making dozens of call-in appearances on local television talk shows in the Columbus market, with almost the entirety of his calls being on the local weekday morning call-in program Rise and Shine on NBC affiliate WLTZ-TV in the 1990s. Calvin Floyd, the former host of the show, replied that Houser was "radical", and his role was limited to call-ins and occasional debates on an estimate 15-to-20 episodes. His role provokes callers by advocating violence against abortion providers as well as a fight over him against the city's water department.https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2015/07/24/tv-hosts-remember-alleged-lafayette-gunman-as-anti-tax-anti-feminist-gadfly/ TV hosts remember alleged Lafayette gunman as anti-tax, anti-feminist 'gadfly' WashingtonPost July 25, 2015 July 25, 2015 Mental health issues Houser was said to have mental health issues,http://theadvocate.com/news/12997489-123/authorities-lafayette-theater-gunman-john Friend: Lafayette theater shooter John Houser had drinking problem, appeared depressed The Advocate July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150724201655/http://theadvocate.com/news/12997489-123/authorities-lafayette-theater-gunman-john dead for which he was treated in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, he underwent a mental health evaluation. According to his wife, he suffered from bipolar disorder. He also had some previous arrest and complaint records including arson, domestic violence, stalking, and selling alcohol to a minor, although these records were at least a decade old. On April 22, 2008, his wife and daughter, along with his daughter's then-fiancé and his parents, issued a protective order against him during his mental health evaluation. The order cited his violent and erratic behavior and reasoned that he had tried to stop his daughter and her fiancé from marrying. Houser's wife also hid his guns away from him for protection. After the order was issued, his family members apparently ceased contact with him. Following the conclusion, Houser is involuntarily committed to West Central Regional Hospital in Columbus.https://www.msnbc.com/msnbc/lafayette-shooter-john-houser-should-have-been-denied-gun-gov-jindal Lafayette shooter John Houser should have been denied gun: Gov. Jindal MSNBC July 26, 2015 July 26, 2015 On May 5, 2014, when faced with the threat of eviction from his home in Alabama, Houser booby-trapped the house by twisting out and igniting the gas starter tube in the fireplace, after removing the logs, in an attempt to make the house catch on fire.Reeves Jay Brumback Kate July 25, 2015 Theater gunman built reputation as an angry provocateur Yahoo! News https://news.yahoo.com/theater-gunman-built-reputation-angry-provocateur-064509522.html# July 25, 2015 On March 31, 2015, a week after his wife filed for divorce on March 23, Houser called her and threatened her, then went to a retirement community where his mother lived. There, he threatened to commit suicide outside if she didn't give him money. The mother called his wife and was urged by her to have him hospitalized. Instead, she gave him $5,000.https://news.yahoo.com/1-loud-shot-survivor-describes-movie-theater-shooting-063932711.html Movie theater shooter's mental problems didn't stop gun buy Yahoo! News July 25, 2015 July 26, 2015Sickles Jason July 25, 2015 Lafayette theater gunman spent weeks before rampage drinking beer at a motel pool https://news.yahoo.com/lafayette-theater-gunman-spent-final-days-drinking-beer-at-a-motel-pool-224651877.html July 25, 2015 Yahoo! News Behaviour immediately prior to the shooting Houser is said to have entered Louisiana around July 2 or 3 and spent his time exploring the state along Interstate 10, apparently searching for a location to attack.Wan William July 26, 2015 Louisiana town struggles to make sense of movie-theater shooting The Washington Post https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/louisiana-town-struggles-to-make-sense-of-movie-theater-shooting/2015/07/26/d05fb002-33c6-11e5-94ce-834ad8f5c50e_story.html July 27, 2015 During the week of July 13, he visited a food bank in Lake Charles twice and requested aid from them.Erika Ferrando http://www.fox10tv.com/story/29627510/lafayette-shooter-reportedly-visited-lake-charles-food-bank Lafayette shooter reportedly visited Lake Charles food bank KPLC July 24, 2015 July 26, 2015 September 20, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150920090641/http://www.fox10tv.com/story/29627510/lafayette-shooter-reportedly-visited-lake-charles-food-bank dead He had been at the Grand 16 theater at least once before, and had also visited several other movie theaters in the state.https://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/lafayette-theater-shooting/lafayette-movie-theater-shooter-john-houser-should-have-been-denied-n398591 Lafayette Movie Theater Shooter John Houser Should have Been Denied Gun: Gov. Jindal NBC News July 26, 2015 July 29, 2015 According to witnesses at one theater, he was dressed up to look like a woman and was behaving erratically. He also appeared to have made some getaway plans.Edgemon Erin July 24, 2015 Louisiana theater shooter John Russel Houser was angry, bizarre, reclusive, neighbors say http://www.nola.com/crime/baton-rouge/index.ssf/2015/07/louisiana_theater_shooter_john.html#incart_story_package July 24, 2015 The Times-Picayune Houser's only known connection to Lafayette was an uncle who once lived there, but died in 1980. It was believed by investigators that he was traveling to Texas and Lafayette was simply a stopping point. On July 27, The Hollywood Reporter reported that investigators believed he chose to commit the shooting in a theater playing Trainwreck due to its feminist themes and characters, as well as its lead actress's Jewish background. He was said to have been a misogynist and praised the actions of Adolf Hitler on online message boards.Lafayette Shooting: Anti-Feminist John Russell Houser May Have Targeted 'Trainwreck' https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/lafayette-shooting-anti-feminist-john-811119 The Hollywood Reporter July 27, 2015 July 27, 2015 An investigation by the SPLC into the shooter's social media posts revealed that he was a supporter of the Greek far-right political party Golden Dawn, former Klansman David Duke, the Westboro Baptist Church, antisemitism, the aforementioned Adolf Hitler and Timothy McVeigh as well as asking on an online forum where he could join white power groups.https://www.splcenter.org/hatewatch/2015/07/23/lafayette-theater-shooter-fan-david-duke-neo-nazis-and-antigovernment-conspiracies Lafayette Theater Shooter Fan of David Duke, Neo-Nazis, and Antigovernment conspiracies Southern Poverty Law Center February 22, 2019 July 23, 2015 Additionally, he praised the Charleston church shooter Dylann Roof and stated that he was "green but good" and "But thanks for the wake up call Dylann" as well as expressing homophobic, misogynistic, and racist anti-black sentiments in his journal.https://www.nola.com/crime/2016/01/lafayette_theater_shooter_than.html Lafayette theater shooter thanks man accused of black church slayings Associated Press/The Times-Picayune March 1, 2019 January 13, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20190306044022/https://www.nola.com/crime/2016/01/lafayette_theater_shooter_than.html March 6, 2019Hate-Filled Journal of Louisiana Theater Shooter Praises Dylann Roof for "Wake Up Call" https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2016/01/louisiana-theater-shooter-john-housers-hate-filled-journal-released.html Hannon Elliot Slate Magazine 14 January 2016 en March 1, 2019 Responses to the shooting Political response Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal traveled to the scene of the shootingRosche Jedd July 24, 2015 Bobby Jindal on theater shooting: 'We will get through this' https://edition.cnn.com/2015/07/23/politics/bobby-jindal-movie-theater-shootings/index.html May 28, 2023 CNN and said he was praying for the victims. He praised the actions of law enforcement during the shooting.http://www.wwltv.com/story/news/local/2015/07/23/police-investigating-shooting-at-lafayette-movie-theater/30599719/ Gunman shoots 11, kills 2 in Lafayette movie theater WWL-TV July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150724024049/http://www.wwltv.com/story/news/local/2015/07/23/police-investigating-shooting-at-lafayette-movie-theater/30599719/ July 24, 2015 dead U.S. Senators David Vitter and Bill Cassidy of Louisiana both released statements expressing their sorrow for the victims of the shooting, and that they were praying for them.Alpert Bruce July 24, 2015 Pray for Lafayette shooting victims and their families, say Louisiana congressional members The Times-Picayune http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/07/louisiana_congressional_member_4.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150724205849/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/07/louisiana_congressional_member_4.html dead July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015 Authorities in Louisiana and Alabama criticized the lack of funding for mental health services in the U.S., following the emergence of his mental health problems. Louisiana State Representative Barbara Norton stated that she is planning on drafting a bill to the criminal justice committee she serves on, which would require all movie theaters in Louisiana to have a metal detector.http://klfy.com/2015/07/27/shreveport-representative-wants-metal-detectors-in-theaters/ Shreveport representative wants metal detectors in theaters KLFY July 27, 2015 July 27, 2015 August 11, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150811005214/http://klfy.com/2015/07/27/shreveport-representative-wants-metal-detectors-in-theaters/ dead Theater and film response Amy Schumer, who wrote and starred in the film being shown as the shooting occurred, posted on her Twitter account, "My heart is broken and all my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Louisiana."Fowler Tara July 24, 2015 Amy Schumer Says Her 'Heart Is Broken' over Trainwreck Shooting That Left 3 Dead and 9 Wounded People http://www.people.com/article/trainwreck-shooting-amy-schumers-heart-is-broken July 24, 2015 She later joined U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer of New York, a cousin of her father's, in calling for stricter gun control and increased mental health funding.https://celebrity.yahoo.com/news/sen-schumer-comedian-amy-schumer-call-more-gun-142234127.html Sen. Schumer, comedian Amy Schumer call for more gun control Yahoo! News Celebrity August 3, 2015 July 3, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150803231519/https://celebrity.yahoo.com/news/sen-schumer-comedian-amy-schumer-call-more-gun-142234127.html August 3, 2015 dead mdy-allMolyneaux Libby February 3, 2011 MAKE US LAUGH, FUNNY GIRL! AMY SCHUMER http://www.laweekly.com/2011-02-03/calendar/make-us-laugh-funny-girl-amy-schumer/ August 3, 2015 LA Weekly Schumer expanded on the shooting and her views on gun control in her autobiography The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo, where she talked about the two murder victims at length; she referred to the gunman's personal views and issues without referring to him by name.July 2019 Universal Studios, the film's distributor, also released a statement, saying, "All of us at Universal Pictures send our heartfelt sympathies to the victims of this senseless tragedy and their families in Louisiana."Khatchatourian Maane July 24, 2015 Universal, Louisiana Theater Owner Respond to 'Trainwreck' Shooting, 'Senseless Tragedy' https://variety.com/2015/film/news/trainwreck-shooting-universal-reacts-1201548111/ July 29, 2015 Variety The theater and its parent company, the Southern Theatres, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Security was increased at the other Grand movie theater in Kenner, Louisiana, and at the Esplanade Mall in Kenner.http://www.nola.com/crime/index.ssf/2015/07/kenner_police_to_increase_patr.html#incart_story_package Kenner police to increase patrols at Grand Theatre after Lafayette shooting The Advocate July 24, 2015 July 24, 2015 They later issued a statement, in which they said, "All of us offer our thoughts and prayers to the victims and the community of Lafayette. We are grateful to all local officials and to the governor for their efforts." See also United States 2012 Aurora, Colorado shooting, another shooting at a theater in Aurora, Colorado during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises. Harlem Nights movie theater shooting Gun laws in Louisiana References Category:2015 in Louisiana Category:2015 mass shootings in the United States Category:2015 murders in the United States Category:Attacks in the United States in 2015 Category:Crimes in Louisiana Category:Deaths by firearm in Louisiana Category:July 2015 crimes in the United States Category:July 2015 in the United States Category:Murder–suicides in Louisiana Category:Suicides by firearm in Louisiana Category:Mass shootings in Louisiana Category:Attacks on cinemas and movie theaters Category:Mass shootings involving semi-automatic pistols in the United States Category:Attacks on commercial buildings in the United States Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 2015