Lafayette, Louisiana, Theater Shooting: Inside the Building
— -- A gunman opened fire on moviegoers in a Lafayette, Louisiana, theater Thursday night, leaving two women dead and nine people injured.
Here is a step-by-step preliminary look at how the shooting unfolded.
THE GUNMAN:
The gunman, John Russel Houser, 59, opened fire around 7:30 p.m. at the Grand 16 Theater. The shooting was reportedly at a showing of Amy Schumer's "Trainwreck.”
There were 300 people in the building at the time, police said, and 25 tickets were sold for the movie where the shooting took place. Houser bought a ticket before entering, police said.
THE VICTIMS:
Two moviegoers were killed: Jillian Johnson, 33, of Lafayette, Mayci Breaux, 21, of Franklin, Louisiana, which is about 50 miles away.
Nine people were injured. Five victims remained in the hospital Friday.
THE APPARENT ESCAPE PLAN:
Police said it was apparent Houser "was intent on shooting and escaping" because he left his 1995 blue Lincoln Continental near the exit.
After he opened fire on movie-goers, Houser exited the screening through a side door, the Lafayette Police Department said. Houser reloaded his weapon just as an officer arrived at the scene. Houser then re-entered the screening room where he fired his gun again and shot himself, police said.
UNKNOWN MOTIVE:
The gunman's motive was unknown, according to authorities, and police said they believe Houser acted alone.
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