The so-called "drifter" Russell Houser, who opened fire in a Lafayette, Louisiana movie theater Thursday night, "had an issue with feminine rights," according to Calvin Floyd, a talk show host in Columbus, Georgia, who had invited Houser on to his show as an occasional guest.
"He was opposed to women having a say in anything," Floyd told the Washington Post. "You know he had a high IQ but there was a lot missing with him."
Houser claimed to have "guest hosted" Floyd's show at least "60 times" on his LinkedIn profile, but Floyd said it was closer to 15 or 20 episodes, and he was limited to call-ins and occasional debates. "I had him on strictly because he was entertaining," Floyd said, labeling the shooter as "pretty much a radical Republican."
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"He got more erratic over time," Floyd added. "I was not shocked at all when I got a call about this. It did not surprise me one bit. Something was amiss."
Houser killed two and injured nine after he opened fire during a screening of Trainwreck, a film written by and starring the feminist comedian and actress Amy Schumer. Houser's wife, Kellie Maddox Houser, filed a temporary protective order against her husband in 2008, citing his "extreme erratic behavior" and "ominous as well as disturbing statements." Houser shot himself after encountering the police during his apparent escape attempt.
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