Wife, family of Louisiana shooter sought protective order in 2008

Lafayette, LA
(Image credit: Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

The wife of John Russell Houser, who opened fire in a Lafayette, Louisiana movie theater Thursday night killing 2 and wounding 9, sought a temporary protective order against him in 2008, court documents show. Houser "exhibited extreme erratic behavior and has made ominous as well as disturbing statements," the documents say. Houser's wife, Kellie Maddox Houser, was reportedly so concerned about his mental state that she removed all guns from their home. She later filed for divorce.

Houser shot himself after encountering police responders during his apparent escape.

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Samantha Rollins

Samantha Rollins is TheWeek.com's news editor. She has previously worked for The New York Times and TIME and is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.