Authorities release more information on Louisiana shooting that killed 2 and gunman


More details have emerged about the shooting at a Lafayette, Louisiana, movie theater that killed three people Thursday night, including the gunman.
Police say a 58-year-old white male opened fire at a screening of Trainwreck at the Grand Theatre 16. There were about 100 people in the room, and two were killed and at least seven injured. The gunman died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police say they know the man's identity, but won't release it, and also said he had a "criminal history," although it was not recent, The Guardian reports.
Colonel Michael Edmonson of the Louisiana State Police told reporters they do not yet have a motive for the shooting. Officers did find the shooter's car in the parking lot of the theater, and called the bomb squad after seeing a suspicious package inside. The package was detonated early Friday morning after police cleared the area of reporters and bystanders, and bomb squad members then entered the theater, as police dogs had alerted them that there could be more suspicious packages inside. Once the inside is clear, detectives will be able to enter and start investigating, a state police officer said. He noted that the three bodies remain inside the theater.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) said he has visited survivors in the hospital, including a teacher who saved the life of her friend after she "literally jumped over her" to shield her from the gunman. The teacher thought she was shot in the leg, but managed to pull the fire alarm, warning the entire theater that something was going on. "I think as we learn more about the details, we are going to hear about other acts of selfless heroism, of people trying to help each other and trying to save other lives," Jindal said.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Arts on prescription: why doctors are prescribing museums and comedy
In The Spotlight Stressed-out patients in Switzerland are being prescribed a trip to the museum to boost their mental wellbeing
By Chas Newkey-Burden, The Week UK Published
-
Cosy cabins for a country escape
The Week Recommends Slow down and take in the nature at these amazing. secluded retreats
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Scottish hospitality shines at these 7 hotels
The Week Recommends Sleep well at these lovely inns across Scotland
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Texas arrests midwife on felony abortion charges
Speed Read Maria Margarita Rojas and an employee at one of her clinics are the first to be criminally charged under Texas' near-total abortion ban
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
South Carolina to execute prisoner by firing squad
speed read Death row inmate Brad Sigmon prefers the squad over the electric chair or lethal injection, his lawyer said
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Mexico extradites 29 cartel figures amid US tariff threat
Speed Read The extradited suspects include Rafael Caro Quintero, long sought after killing a US narcotics agent
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Leonard Peltier released from prison
Speed Read The Native American activist convicted of killing two FBI agents had his life sentence commuted by former President Joe Biden
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Ex-Sen. Bob Menendez sentenced to 11 years
Speed Read The former New Jersey senator was convicted on federal bribery and corruption charges last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Police ID driver of exploded Cybertruck, can't see motive
Speed Read An Army Green Beret detonated a homemade bomb in a Tesla Cybertruck in front of the Trump International Hotel in Las Vegas
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Teenage girl kills 2 in Wisconsin school shooting
Speed Read 15-year-old Natalie Rupnow fatally shot a teacher and student at Abundant Life Christian School
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Penny acquitted in NYC subway choking death
Speed Read Daniel Penny was found not guilty of homicide in the 2023 choking death of Jordan Neely
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published