Three people were killed and nine injured last night when a gunman opened fire inside a crowded cinema in Lafayette, Louisiana. Aged between their teens and their sixties, they were enjoying Judd Apatow's new romantic comedy Trainwreck when the man produced a handgun and began 20 minutes of shooting, apparently at random.
The 59 year old gunman, who was pronounced dead at the scene, has been identified but his name, along with those of his victims, is being withheld until relatives have been informed. Local police say they are confident he was acting alone. At the present time they are unable to establish his motive.
A witness reported that the shooting began about 20 minutes into the film and that the first victims were the two people sitting directly in front of the shooter. She didn't hear the shooter say anything before or during the attack. Patrons were apparently too shocked to scream and simply ran for the doors. When the gunman realised that police officers were about to enter he shot himself in the head.
Two teachers have been praised for raising the alarm. One was shot in the leg but nevertheless managed to reach the fire alarm. She survived because of the actions of another teacher, who died jumping into the path of a bullet aimed at her.
Cinema staff, who didn't know how events might develop, were quick to turn off other screenings and get audiences safely outside through the emergency exits.
Amy Schumer, who stars in Trainwreck, sent her thoughts and prayers to the people affected by the tragedy.
"Going to a summer movie is a celebration of the American creative spirit and one of our nation's most beloved pastimes. Let us stand together in these times of tragedy and embrace what is precious to us — churches, schools and places where the arts can send our spirits soaring. As a national community of artists and audiences, AFI offers our heartfelt sympathies to the victims in Louisiana and their families," said Bob Gazzale, president of the American Film Institute.
The shooting took place a week after the conviction of James Holmes, who killed 12 people in a gun attack during a screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado, in 2012.
