(MENAFN- The Peninsula) An Alabama drifter opened fire inside a crowded movie theatre, killing two women in Lafayette, Louisiana, police said, in the latest act of random gun violence to shock the US.
Gunfire erupted during a 7pm showing of the film Trainwreck. Two died in the hail of bullets before the 59-year-old suspect, identified as John Houser, killed himself with a .40 calibre handgun as officers rushed to the scene, Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft told a press conference.
The shootings took place almost three years to the day after 12 people were killed at a cinema in Aurora, Colorado, and follows several mass shootings in the US in recent weeks.
Authorities said seven people were wounded, three critically. One person underwent surgery and "was not doing well," Craft said. Republican Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who went to Lafayette to meet law enforcement and victims, said: "This is a normal movie theatre in a normal part of a normal town. This is Anywhere, USA. This just shows these senseless acts of violence can literally happen anywhere."
The deceased were identified as Mayci Breaux, 21, from Franklin, La. and Jillian Johnson, 33, from Lafayette. Police did not immediately offer a motive. "The shooter is dead. We may never know," Craft said, adding the man had "pretty old" criminal history.
Craft said Houser tried to sneak out of the theatre with the crowd after the shooting. He was forced back inside by the quick arrival of police, before shooting himself. "It is apparent that he was intent on shooting and escaping," he said, adding Houser's car, a blue Lincoln Continental, was parked outside the theatre near an exit.
Houser was "kind of a drifter" who had moved to Lafayette recently from Phenix City, Alabama, and had no recent criminal record, Craft said. "We don't know why he chose to stop and stay in Lafayette." Police found disguises, including wigs and glasses, in his motel room.
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