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| Louisiana cinema shooting: Lafayette gunman 'had violent past' | Louisiana cinema shooting: Lafayette gunman 'had violent past' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| The gunman who killed two people and injured several others at a Louisiana cinema had a history of mental health issues, according to court documents. | The gunman who killed two people and injured several others at a Louisiana cinema had a history of mental health issues, according to court documents. |
| John Houser, 59, fired a dozen rounds from a handgun at a film screening in Lafayette before shooting himself. | John Houser, 59, fired a dozen rounds from a handgun at a film screening in Lafayette before shooting himself. |
| He bought the weapon legally at a pawn shop in Alabama, police said. | |
| Documents seen by the AP news agency show his family won a protective order against him in 2008 due to "various acts of violence" towards them. | Documents seen by the AP news agency show his family won a protective order against him in 2008 due to "various acts of violence" towards them. |
| His wife, who filed for divorce in March, said he had become "volatile". | His wife, who filed for divorce in March, said he had become "volatile". |
| Hours before the latest US shooting, President Barack Obama told the BBC that gun law reform had been his "greatest frustration". | Hours before the latest US shooting, President Barack Obama told the BBC that gun law reform had been his "greatest frustration". |
| Lafayette police described Houser as a "drifter" from Alabama who had been staying at nearby motel since the beginning of July. Wigs and other disguises were found inside his room. | Lafayette police described Houser as a "drifter" from Alabama who had been staying at nearby motel since the beginning of July. Wigs and other disguises were found inside his room. |
| Police chief Jim Craft said investigators believe he intended to flee rather than take his own life, but the quick police response forced him back into the building. | Police chief Jim Craft said investigators believe he intended to flee rather than take his own life, but the quick police response forced him back into the building. |
| 'Danger to himself' | 'Danger to himself' |
| His motive is unclear but police said they were looking into online posts appearing to have been made by Houser in which he criticised the government and US media. | His motive is unclear but police said they were looking into online posts appearing to have been made by Houser in which he criticised the government and US media. |
| He did have a criminal history but it was "pretty old", Mr Craft added, later revealing that Houser legally purchased his semi-automatic .40-calibre handgun in Alabama in 2014. | |
| Police also said at a news conference on Friday that the gunman had visited the cinema at least once before, possibly to see if it was a "soft target". | |
| Court documents from 2008 say Houser's family petitioned a court to have him involuntarily committed "because he was a danger to himself and others". | Court documents from 2008 say Houser's family petitioned a court to have him involuntarily committed "because he was a danger to himself and others". |
| The files said Houser's wife, Kellie Maddox Houser, had removed all guns from their marital residence after he "exhibited extreme erratic behaviour" and made "disturbing statements". | The files said Houser's wife, Kellie Maddox Houser, had removed all guns from their marital residence after he "exhibited extreme erratic behaviour" and made "disturbing statements". |
| The judge issued the order and Houser was taken to a hospital in Columbus, Georgia. It is unclear how long he stayed at the institute. | The judge issued the order and Houser was taken to a hospital in Columbus, Georgia. It is unclear how long he stayed at the institute. |
| 'Angry man' | 'Angry man' |
| A former local television host in Georgia says Houser was a regular guest on his show in the 1990s, describing him as an "angry man" who made "wild accusations". | A former local television host in Georgia says Houser was a regular guest on his show in the 1990s, describing him as an "angry man" who made "wild accusations". |
| Calvin Floyd, who hosted a show on WLTZ-TV in Columbus, Georgia, said Houser rallied against women in the workplace and advocated violence against people involved in abortions. | Calvin Floyd, who hosted a show on WLTZ-TV in Columbus, Georgia, said Houser rallied against women in the workplace and advocated violence against people involved in abortions. |
| "He was very entertaining. He made for good TV and when it was over, you would leave shaking your head," Mr Floyd told NBC News. | "He was very entertaining. He made for good TV and when it was over, you would leave shaking your head," Mr Floyd told NBC News. |
| What we know about John Russell Houser | What we know about John Russell Houser |
| Witnesses said Houser opened fire on cinema-goers about 20 minutes into advertisements before a screening of Trainwreck at the Grand Theatre. | Witnesses said Houser opened fire on cinema-goers about 20 minutes into advertisements before a screening of Trainwreck at the Grand Theatre. |
| The victims were identified by police as 21-year-old Mayci Breaux and 31-year-old Jillian Johnson. | The victims were identified by police as 21-year-old Mayci Breaux and 31-year-old Jillian Johnson. |
| Colleagues said Ms Breaux was "an amazing young woman" while Ms Johnson's husband described her as a "once-in-a-lifetime gal". | Colleagues said Ms Breaux was "an amazing young woman" while Ms Johnson's husband described her as a "once-in-a-lifetime gal". |
| Nine people were taken to a local hospital with injuries ranging from critical to non-life-threatening. One person remains in critical condition. | Nine people were taken to a local hospital with injuries ranging from critical to non-life-threatening. One person remains in critical condition. |
| About 300 people are thought to have been in the cinema building at the time of the shooting. | About 300 people are thought to have been in the cinema building at the time of the shooting. |
| Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who arrived at the scene late on Thursday night, praised the "selfless heroism" of two wounded teachers. | Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who arrived at the scene late on Thursday night, praised the "selfless heroism" of two wounded teachers. |
| He told reporters that the first teacher threw herself in front of the second to shield her from the bullets. | He told reporters that the first teacher threw herself in front of the second to shield her from the bullets. |
| The second, who was shot in the leg, had the presence of mind to pull the fire alarm to warn others of the danger, Mr Jindal said. | The second, who was shot in the leg, had the presence of mind to pull the fire alarm to warn others of the danger, Mr Jindal said. |