Horrible news this evening: There’s been another mass shooting at an American movie theater:
JUST IN: Louisiana State Police: Several people injured after shooting at movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana.
— ABC News (@ABC) July 24, 2015BREAKING: Ambulance official: Shooting at Louisiana theater leaves 2 dead, including gunman.
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 24, 2015
A journalist for The New Orleans Advocate reports:
Senior law enforcement source says Lafayette shooter was about 40 years old and is confirmed dead. Source says three dead,including shooter
— Jim Mustian (@JimMustian) July 24, 2015The gunman reportedly committed suicide. Meanwhile, as many as eight others are possibly injured. Stay tuned for updates.
UPDATE: NBC News has some additional information:
Lafayette police said the shooting occurred at the Grand Theatre on Johnston Street about 7:30 p.m. Witnessed described hearing about six pops during a screening of the movie "Train Wreck."
UPDATE: This is now all but confirmed:
JUST IN: Louisiana State Police tell CNN the Lafayette movie theater shooter died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
— Vaughn Sterling (@vplus) July 24, 2015UPDATE: Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal is "on his way" to the crime scene:
Prayers for Lafayette at Grand Theater. Talking to state police colonel about shooting in Lafayette.
— Gov. Bobby Jindal (@BobbyJindal) July 24, 2015I'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, 2015UPDATE: Pray for these victims:
STATE POLICE SGT. Brooks David says in addition to the 2 dead, there are 3 others in critical condition.
— WWL-TV (@WWLTV) July 24, 2015UPDATE: Gov. Jindal just wrapped up a joint press conference. He called the shooting “an awful night for Lafayette, an awful night for Louisiana, and an awful life for the United States.” He urged everyone to pray for the victims and to come together. He also praised the first responders for running towards the danger, not away from it.
UPDATE: Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft just confirmed that the shooter was a "white male in his 50s." He also said seven people were shot, two of whom are now deceased.
UPDATE: Matt points out that the shooting happened in a gun free zone. Also, the gunman was 59 years old -- and had a history of criminal behavior.
UPDATE: The shooter has been identified as Alabama native John Russell Houser.
UPDATE: The number of injured victims has actually risen to nine, and the murdered movie-goers have also been identified.
UPDATE: There are more than a few heroes to emerge from this tragedy (via ABC News):
A school teacher heroically jumped in front of a colleague to shield her during a deadly shooting at a movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana Thursday night, and one of the teachers was able to pull the fire alarm to alert authorities despite being wounded, according to Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal."Her friend literally jumped over her, and in her account actually saved her life," Jindal said at a press conference, after he visited with victims at a hospital. "If she hadn't done that ... that bullet, she believed it would have hit her in the head."
UPDATE: The shooter was reportedly at one time affiliated with the Tea Party.