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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/live/2015/jul/24/louisiana-movie-theatre-shooting-latest-updates
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| Louisiana shooting: three confirmed dead at movie theater – as it happened | Louisiana shooting: three confirmed dead at movie theater – as it happened |
| (6 months later) | |
| 9.04am BST | |
| 09:04 | |
| Claire Phipps | Claire Phipps |
| I’m winding down this live coverage now, with the next police briefing from Lafayette due in three-and-a-half hours (6.30am local time; 7.30am Eastern time; 12.30pm BST; 9.30pm AEST). | I’m winding down this live coverage now, with the next police briefing from Lafayette due in three-and-a-half hours (6.30am local time; 7.30am Eastern time; 12.30pm BST; 9.30pm AEST). |
| A summary of the night’s events is below, here, and the latest article is here. | A summary of the night’s events is below, here, and the latest article is here. |
| Thank you for reading. | Thank you for reading. |
| Related: Lafayette cinema shooting: three dead including lone gunman and nine injured | Related: Lafayette cinema shooting: three dead including lone gunman and nine injured |
| 8.08am BST | |
| 08:08 | |
| Closing summary | Closing summary |
| Here’s a quick revision of our latest summary in the light of that police briefing: | Here’s a quick revision of our latest summary in the light of that police briefing: |
| Updated | |
| at 9.02am BST | |
| 7.59am BST | |
| 07:59 | |
| Craft says it’s believed the gunman was sitting alone in the theater. | Craft says it’s believed the gunman was sitting alone in the theater. |
| The first two people shot were sitting directly in front of him. | The first two people shot were sitting directly in front of him. |
| 3 dead, 9 inj. confirmed by LPD chief Jim Craft. No further updates from LPD for a few hrs. #LafayetteShooting pic.twitter.com/Ke60KIjor3 | 3 dead, 9 inj. confirmed by LPD chief Jim Craft. No further updates from LPD for a few hrs. #LafayetteShooting pic.twitter.com/Ke60KIjor3 |
| 7.57am BST | |
| 07:57 | |
| #Lafayette Police Chief Craft said police were unable to make contact with suspect before he killed himself. | #Lafayette Police Chief Craft said police were unable to make contact with suspect before he killed himself. |
| 7.56am BST | |
| 07:56 | |
| Craft said no “manifesto” has been found that might explain the shooter’s motive. | Craft said no “manifesto” has been found that might explain the shooter’s motive. |
| Two police officers were on the scene in less than a minute after the alarm was raised. | Two police officers were on the scene in less than a minute after the alarm was raised. |
| The gunman was dead before police officers entered the theater. | The gunman was dead before police officers entered the theater. |
| Police earlier said that he took his own life. | Police earlier said that he took his own life. |
| 7.53am BST | |
| 07:53 | |
| Police chief Jim Craft calls the conditions inside the theater “a pretty horrific scene”. | Police chief Jim Craft calls the conditions inside the theater “a pretty horrific scene”. |
| It’s confirmed that 12 people were shot. | It’s confirmed that 12 people were shot. |
| Three people have died, including the gunman. One of the victims died in hospital. Two bodies, including that of the shooter, remain inside the theater. | Three people have died, including the gunman. One of the victims died in hospital. Two bodies, including that of the shooter, remain inside the theater. |
| Nine people were injured, one of whom remains in a critical condition. | Nine people were injured, one of whom remains in a critical condition. |
| Updated | |
| at 7.58am BST | |
| 7.51am BST | |
| 07:51 | |
| Shooter had 'semi-automatic handgun' – police | Shooter had 'semi-automatic handgun' – police |
| Police confirm the gunman used a semi-automatic handgun. | Police confirm the gunman used a semi-automatic handgun. |
| Suspect was armed with semi-auto handgun. ATF is working on tracing gun #Lafayette | Suspect was armed with semi-auto handgun. ATF is working on tracing gun #Lafayette |
| 7.50am BST | |
| 07:50 | |
| Authorities have been holding a further briefing for the media. | Authorities have been holding a further briefing for the media. |
| Chief Jim Craft of the Lafayette police department (LPD) says the suspicious package spotted in the gunman’s car and dealt with by the bomb squad was not in fact an explosive device. | Chief Jim Craft of the Lafayette police department (LPD) says the suspicious package spotted in the gunman’s car and dealt with by the bomb squad was not in fact an explosive device. |
| Craft: Vehicle has been cleared. Suspicious object was found harmless. LPD is back in control of crime scene | Craft: Vehicle has been cleared. Suspicious object was found harmless. LPD is back in control of crime scene |
| Police will still not release the identity of the shooter as they continue to check addresses connected to him in “multiple” Southern states. | Police will still not release the identity of the shooter as they continue to check addresses connected to him in “multiple” Southern states. |
| 7.42am BST | |
| 07:42 | |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| Updated | |
| at 7.53am BST | |
| 7.22am BST | |
| 07:22 | |
| Reporters on the scene in Lafayette say bomb squad officers are continuing to carry out controlled explosions: | Reporters on the scene in Lafayette say bomb squad officers are continuing to carry out controlled explosions: |
| Another bomb squad explosion here at crime scene. Police earlier said they found 3 suspicious things in what's said to be suspect's car. | Another bomb squad explosion here at crime scene. Police earlier said they found 3 suspicious things in what's said to be suspect's car. |
| Authorities have just detonated the materials in the shooter's vehicle. @theadvertiser #LafayetteShooting | Authorities have just detonated the materials in the shooter's vehicle. @theadvertiser #LafayetteShooting |
| Updated | |
| at 7.24am BST | |
| 7.12am BST | |
| 07:12 | |
| Sergeant Brooks David of Louisiana state police has confirmed to CNN that the gunman’s vehicle has been “cleared” by bomb squad detectives after a suspicious package was spotted. | Sergeant Brooks David of Louisiana state police has confirmed to CNN that the gunman’s vehicle has been “cleared” by bomb squad detectives after a suspicious package was spotted. |
| Bomb squad officers are now inside the theater, David said, after police dogs alerted to possible suspicious items there. | Bomb squad officers are now inside the theater, David said, after police dogs alerted to possible suspicious items there. |
| In a few hours, assuming the crime scene has also been cleared, detectives will be able to enter the theater to begin their investigation there, David added. | In a few hours, assuming the crime scene has also been cleared, detectives will be able to enter the theater to begin their investigation there, David added. |
| The bodies remain inside the theater. | The bodies remain inside the theater. |
| Updated | |
| at 8.25am BST | |
| 7.04am BST | |
| 07:04 | |
| Police have detonated what they earlier described as a suspicious package in the car belonging to the gunman. | Police have detonated what they earlier described as a suspicious package in the car belonging to the gunman. |
| Officers had previously cleared reporters and bystanders from the area. | Officers had previously cleared reporters and bystanders from the area. |
| 6.59am BST | |
| 06:59 | |
| Louisiana governor – and Republican presidential contender – Bobby Jindal has said that tonight is not the night to be political, when quizzed on what ramifications there might be for the gun control debate in the state. | Louisiana governor – and Republican presidential contender – Bobby Jindal has said that tonight is not the night to be political, when quizzed on what ramifications there might be for the gun control debate in the state. |
| But many people on social media are pointing to Jindal’s support for firearms – which, along with comments on gun control by Barack Obama shortly before the shooting, is sure to turn more attention on Louisiana’s gun laws in the coming days: | But many people on social media are pointing to Jindal’s support for firearms – which, along with comments on gun control by Barack Obama shortly before the shooting, is sure to turn more attention on Louisiana’s gun laws in the coming days: |
| My kind of campaign stop; Capital Armament in Sibley. #IAPolitics pic.twitter.com/26VDrrr9sY | My kind of campaign stop; Capital Armament in Sibley. #IAPolitics pic.twitter.com/26VDrrr9sY |
| And others have drawn attention to this older tweet, from 2011: | And others have drawn attention to this older tweet, from 2011: |
| Honored to have the #NRA support my reelection. We will continue to protect the second amendment together! | Honored to have the #NRA support my reelection. We will continue to protect the second amendment together! |
| 6.52am BST | |
| 06:52 | |
| Police say they do not yet have an idea of the motive behind the attack. | Police say they do not yet have an idea of the motive behind the attack. |
| Colonel Michael Edmonson of the Louisiana state police told reporters that authorities would be investigating why the shooter targeted the theater. | Colonel Michael Edmonson of the Louisiana state police told reporters that authorities would be investigating why the shooter targeted the theater. |
| Why did he go in there by himself? | Why did he go in there by himself? |
| Why did he go in the theater, and why did he decide to pull a weapon out and to harm individuals and actually kill two individuals? | Why did he go in the theater, and why did he decide to pull a weapon out and to harm individuals and actually kill two individuals? |
| 6.38am BST | |
| 06:38 | |
| My colleague Jana Kasperkevic has filed this latest report on the shooting: | My colleague Jana Kasperkevic has filed this latest report on the shooting: |
| A lone gunman opened fire inside a crowded movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Thursday evening, killing two people and injuring at least seven others before taking his own life, police said. | A lone gunman opened fire inside a crowded movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Thursday evening, killing two people and injuring at least seven others before taking his own life, police said. |
| The gunfire erupted during a showing of the film Trainwreck in front of an audience of more than 100 people. | The gunfire erupted during a showing of the film Trainwreck in front of an audience of more than 100 people. |
| According to witnesses a man, described by police as white and aged 58, stood up and started shooting. | According to witnesses a man, described by police as white and aged 58, stood up and started shooting. |
| Police said the man had been identified and it is believed he was acting on his own. He died of a self-inflicted wound after discharging his weapon numerous times. | Police said the man had been identified and it is believed he was acting on his own. He died of a self-inflicted wound after discharging his weapon numerous times. |
| At least seven people suffered injuries ranging from non life-threatening to critical, according to Lafayette police chief Jim Craft. | At least seven people suffered injuries ranging from non life-threatening to critical, according to Lafayette police chief Jim Craft. |
| You can read the full article here: | You can read the full article here: |
| Related: Louisiana theatre shooting: 3 dead and 7 injured after gunman opens fire | Related: Louisiana theatre shooting: 3 dead and 7 injured after gunman opens fire |
| 6.26am BST | |
| 06:26 | |
| Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, after visiting survivors in hospital in Lafayette, told reporters about a teacher who he said saved the life of her friend and “literally jumped over her” to shield her from the gunman. | Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal, after visiting survivors in hospital in Lafayette, told reporters about a teacher who he said saved the life of her friend and “literally jumped over her” to shield her from the gunman. |
| Even though she was shot in the leg, she had the presence of mind to pull the fire alarm to help save other lives. | Even though she was shot in the leg, she had the presence of mind to pull the fire alarm to help save other lives. |
| I think as we learn more about the details tonight, we are going to hear about other acts of selfless heroism of people trying to help each other and trying to save other lives. | I think as we learn more about the details tonight, we are going to hear about other acts of selfless heroism of people trying to help each other and trying to save other lives. |
| These were two teachers who were just out to watch a movie during the last few days of their summer break, getting ready for the new semester. They never imagined that their little outing would be interrupted by this senseless act of violence, this awful, awful tragedy. | These were two teachers who were just out to watch a movie during the last few days of their summer break, getting ready for the new semester. They never imagined that their little outing would be interrupted by this senseless act of violence, this awful, awful tragedy. |
| Some of the victims were seriously injured: | Some of the victims were seriously injured: |
| I saw family members that were hoping for the best. They were waiting for information on their loved ones. | I saw family members that were hoping for the best. They were waiting for information on their loved ones. |
| They hoped, they believed that even though they wouldn’t be discharged tonight, they would be able to make recoveries … | They hoped, they believed that even though they wouldn’t be discharged tonight, they would be able to make recoveries … |
| They were praying. They were fearful. They were anxious. The best thing we have heard from the folks from all over the country – literally all over the country – now is a great time to send them your thoughts, your prayers, your love. | They were praying. They were fearful. They were anxious. The best thing we have heard from the folks from all over the country – literally all over the country – now is a great time to send them your thoughts, your prayers, your love. |
| This is a resilient community. Lafayette will come together. | This is a resilient community. Lafayette will come together. |
| 6.11am BST | |
| 06:11 | |
| Barack Obama, speaking shortly before the Lafayette shooting, said he is “distressed” he has been unable to strengthen gun-safety laws in America, acknowledging it will be the unfinished business of his presidency. | Barack Obama, speaking shortly before the Lafayette shooting, said he is “distressed” he has been unable to strengthen gun-safety laws in America, acknowledging it will be the unfinished business of his presidency. |
| You can read our full report on his comments here: | You can read our full report on his comments here: |
| Related: Barack Obama: gun safety is biggest unfinished business of my presidency | Related: Barack Obama: gun safety is biggest unfinished business of my presidency |
| 5.59am BST | |
| 05:59 | |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| Updated | |
| at 6.02am BST | |
| 5.45am BST | |
| 05:45 | |
| Paige Bearb, who was in the movie theater next door to where the shooting took place, has told CNN the person sitting next to her had received a call from someone who was unable to enter the theater because the doors were locked due to a suspected active shooter. | Paige Bearb, who was in the movie theater next door to where the shooting took place, has told CNN the person sitting next to her had received a call from someone who was unable to enter the theater because the doors were locked due to a suspected active shooter. |
| When the lights came on and the alarm was sounded, Bearb said people in the theater started to run. | When the lights came on and the alarm was sounded, Bearb said people in the theater started to run. |
| Bearb said she saw a woman with a gunshot wound to the leg being loaded into an ambulance. | Bearb said she saw a woman with a gunshot wound to the leg being loaded into an ambulance. |
| 5.38am BST | |
| 05:38 | |
| Of the seven people injured, one has been released from hospital, officials have confirmed. | Of the seven people injured, one has been released from hospital, officials have confirmed. |
| Police chief Jim Craft said one woman had required surgery and was “not doing well”. | Police chief Jim Craft said one woman had required surgery and was “not doing well”. |
| He said victims’s ages ranged from late teens to 60s. | He said victims’s ages ranged from late teens to 60s. |
| 5.32am BST | |
| 05:32 | |
| Shooter had 'criminal history' – police | Shooter had 'criminal history' – police |
| Jim Craft, police chief in Lafayette, says the gunman did have a criminal history, but “nothing recent”. | Jim Craft, police chief in Lafayette, says the gunman did have a criminal history, but “nothing recent”. |
| He says police are still working to confirm that the identity they have for him is correct. They are not making that identity public yet, and Craft urged people to be cautious on social media: | He says police are still working to confirm that the identity they have for him is correct. They are not making that identity public yet, and Craft urged people to be cautious on social media: |
| Please don’t put out any information that could put our officers in harm’s way. | Please don’t put out any information that could put our officers in harm’s way. |
| But he reiterated that they believe the shooter acted alone: | But he reiterated that they believe the shooter acted alone: |
| We think he was alone … no one reported seeing him sitting with anyone. He appeared to be by himself. | We think he was alone … no one reported seeing him sitting with anyone. He appeared to be by himself. |
| He says police have not yet recovered any weapon from the scene. | He says police have not yet recovered any weapon from the scene. |