Lafayette, LA – On July 23, 2015 at approximately 7:30 pm, Lafayette Police responded to reports of an “Active Shooter” at the Grand 16 Lafayette Theater, located at 3141 Johnston Street.
A male subject located in the theater began firing randomly at movie goers inside. Amy Schumer’s “Trainwreck” was the movie playing.
In the end, 3 people were dead, including the gunman. 7 others were injured.
Lafayette Police have identified the shooter as John Russell Houser, Age 59. He has a history of mental illness.
His last known address Phenix City, Alabama. Houser was last known to have rented a room at a motel in the City of Lafayette, beginning in July 2015. No devices were located in Houser’s vehicle (1995 Lincoln, blue in color), which was parked at the theatre.
Mayci Breaux, of Franklin, Louisiana, died at the Grand 16 Theatre, police said today. She died at the scene.
The 21-year-old was planning to study radiology at Lafayette General Hospital, hospital President David Callecod said today, adding that she had just toured the facility.
The other victim who died was Jillian Johnson of Lafayette, police said. The 33-year-old died at the hospital, police said.
Johnson was a singer-musician and a 2004 graduate of the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, as was her husband, according to a message from the president on the school’s website.
#LafayetteShooting Victims Who Lost Their Lives Have Been Identified As Mayci Breaux,21 and Jillian Johnson,33 #B911 pic.twitter.com/mB1yGYLjh7
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 24, 2015
Police say the suspect had wigs and glasses in his car and hotel room. They believe the shooter prepared to leave the scene of the crime but turned the gun on himself due to the quick response of police.
An investigation is ongoing.
