The shooter who entered a movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana on Thursday evening and fired 13 shots, killing two and wounding at least nine, has been identified as John Russell Houser. The shooter is also dead.
The 59-year-old drifter is from Alabama, officials said at a press conference on Friday morning. He had a car parked near the exit door of the theater. Police are seeking information about the shooter, and asking those who know him to contact them.
The man sat silently in the theater, which was showing the romantic comedy Trainwreck, for 20 minutes before opening his first shot.
Police say they have not yet determined a motive. But a Southern Poverty Law Center Hatewatch investigation suggests that Houser was an active participant in forums dedicated to white supremacy, anti-LGBT, and right-wing conspiracy theories.
The Associated Press pointed to 2008 documents that show Houser’s wife removed weapons from the home due to his mental state.
Update:
This is a breaking news story. The story will be updated as more information becomes available.