Lafayette theater shooter had history of violence, mental illness

UPDATE: The family of movie theater shooter John Russel Houser said he had a violent streak and suffered from mental illness. In 2008, his family had him committed to a hospital because he posed a danger to himself and others. Relatives also obtained protective orders against him. Court documents indicated he had a history of bipolar disorder.

Houser opened fire in a movie theater in Lafayette, La., Thursday evening, then turned the gun on himself. Police have identified the two other people who died in the shooting as 21-year-old Mayci Breaux, a student, and 33-year-old Jillian Johnson, who ran clothing and art boutiques. Nine other people were wounded in the shooting.

OUR EARLIER REPORT (9:40 a.m.): Police described the gunman who opened fire at a movie theater in Lafayette, La., Thursday evening as a “drifter” who was staying at a local Motel 6. John Russel Houser, 59, stood up about 20 minutes into a 7:10 p.m. showing of Trainwreck and fired 13 shots from a handgun. He killed two people and injured nine others before turning the gun on himself.

Authorities searched Houser’s hotel room and found disguises, including glasses and wigs, but would not comment on a possible motive for the killings.

Houser initially tried to leave the theater through an emergency exit after the shooting, but turned back when he saw police outside. Police found him dead in the theater from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

“The quick law enforcement response forced him back into the theater,” Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft said.

The wounded included people ranging in age from their late teens to late 60s. At least one of those was in critical condition at an area hospital.

Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal traveled to the scene within hours of the shooting, calling it “an awful night for Louisiana.”

“What we can do now is we can pray,” Jindal said. “We can hug these families. We can shower them with love, thoughts and prayers.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.