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Lafayette movie theater shooting: three people confirmed dead – latest updates Lafayette movie theater shooting: three people confirmed dead – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
1.49pm AEST04:49
Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal has visited one of the three hospitals treating injured theater patrons.
He says two teachers were in the theater – one of them, Jindal says, jumped in front of her colleague and was shot, but still managed to pull a fire alarm that alerted authorities.
Even the worst of times bring out the best in people.
He says the teacher, who was shot in the leg, saved other people’s lives through her actions.
1.41pm AEST04:41
In an interview with the BBC on Thursday before the shooting, president Barack Obama said his biggest frustration was the failure to pass “common-sense gun safety laws”:
You mentioned the issue of guns: that is an area where, if you ask me where has been the one area where I feel that I’ve been most frustrated and most stymied, it is the fact that the United States of America is the one advanced nation on earth in which we do not have sufficient common-sense, gun-safety laws.
Even in the face of repeated mass killings.
And you know, if you look at the number of Americans killed since 9/11 by terrorism, it’s less than 100. If you look at the number that have been killed by gun violence, it’s in the tens of thousands.
And for us not to be able to resolve that issue has been something that is distressing. But it is not something that I intend to stop working on in the remaining 18 months.
The BBC has the full Obama transcript here.
1.33pm AEST04:33
Law enforcement officials remain on the crime scene.
Theater patrons are not being allowed to remove their cars from the parking lot for now, as the search for evidence goes on.
1.25pm AEST04:25
Amy Schumer, whose movie Trainwreck was showing in the theater where the shooting took place, has tweeted her shock at the evening’s events:
My heart is broken and all my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Louisiana.
1.20pm AEST04:20
Sergeant Brooks David of Louisiana state police confirms three people died on the scene, including the gunman.
All three bodies remain in the theater. The coroner is with them.
He says a second Grand Theater in Lafayette was closed as a precaution but there is no threat to the wider public. Officials have also been carrying out safety checks of the area, he says:
The sweep of the theater has taken place and the sweep of the parking lot has taken place … about 20 to 30 minutes ago.
No vehicles are allowed to leave the parking lot until state police have looked at that vehicle.
1.11pm AEST04:111.11pm AEST04:11
What we know so farWhat we know so far
1.02pm AEST04:021.02pm AEST04:02
Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal is on the scene and speaking to reporters.Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal is on the scene and speaking to reporters.
He praises the law enforcement officers who ran towards the shots.He praises the law enforcement officers who ran towards the shots.
“Senseless” and “seemingly random acts of violence” like this “make us both furious and sad at the same time”, he says.“Senseless” and “seemingly random acts of violence” like this “make us both furious and sad at the same time”, he says.
We’re a resilient community … This is an awful night … We will get through this.We’re a resilient community … This is an awful night … We will get through this.
Updated at 1.04pm AESTUpdated at 1.04pm AEST
1.01pm AEST04:011.01pm AEST04:01
Craft says police don’t yet know what type of weapon was used, but it was a handgun.Craft says police don’t yet know what type of weapon was used, but it was a handgun.
He confirms the shooter was a white man in his 50s.He confirms the shooter was a white man in his 50s.
1.00pm AEST04:001.00pm AEST04:00
Three people dead, including gunmanThree people dead, including gunman
Police have updated the casualty numbers.Police have updated the casualty numbers.
Craft confirms that three people have died, including the gunman.Craft confirms that three people have died, including the gunman.
He says seven people are injured. Some do have life-threatening wounds, he says.He says seven people are injured. Some do have life-threatening wounds, he says.
Updated at 1.02pm AESTUpdated at 1.02pm AEST
12.54pm AEST03:5412.54pm AEST03:54
About 100 people were inside the theater when the shooting took place, police say, and are being interviewed as witnesses.About 100 people were inside the theater when the shooting took place, police say, and are being interviewed as witnesses.
12.53pm AEST03:5312.53pm AEST03:53
Gunman died from self-inflicted wound – policeGunman died from self-inflicted wound – police
Jim Craft, police chief in Lafayette, says officials do know the identity of the gunman but are not releasing it at this time.Jim Craft, police chief in Lafayette, says officials do know the identity of the gunman but are not releasing it at this time.
He says:He says:
It appears the shooter has died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.It appears the shooter has died from self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Four police officers entered the theater and heard shots being fired at that time, he says.Four police officers entered the theater and heard shots being fired at that time, he says.
Updated at 1.32pm AEST
12.46pm AEST03:4612.46pm AEST03:46
'No secondary shooter' – police'No secondary shooter' – police
David continues: there is “not a secondary shooter”.David continues: there is “not a secondary shooter”.
We have the scene stabilised.We have the scene stabilised.
He says two other movie theaters have been cleared as a precaution, but there are no wider security concerns.He says two other movie theaters have been cleared as a precaution, but there are no wider security concerns.
12.45pm AEST03:4512.45pm AEST03:45
Three people critically injuredThree people critically injured
Sergeant Brooks David confirms that three of the wounded have critical injuries. David confirms that three of the wounded have critical injuries.
Updated at 1.17pm AEST
12.43pm AEST03:4312.43pm AEST03:43
Shooter was 'lone white male, aged 58' – policeShooter was 'lone white male, aged 58' – police
Sergeant Brooks David of Louisiana state police tells CNN the gunman was a “lone white male”, aged 58.Sergeant Brooks David of Louisiana state police tells CNN the gunman was a “lone white male”, aged 58.
The gunman is one of the two confirmed dead. The coroner is currently inside the theater with the two bodies.The gunman is one of the two confirmed dead. The coroner is currently inside the theater with the two bodies.
The man “was actually a patron at the theater”, David says, and fired multiple shots.The man “was actually a patron at the theater”, David says, and fired multiple shots.
It is too early to speculate on motive, he says: “It’s unknown exactly what could possibly cause that.”It is too early to speculate on motive, he says: “It’s unknown exactly what could possibly cause that.”
Updated at 12.44pm AEST Updated at 1.17pm AEST
12.37pm AEST03:3712.37pm AEST03:37
Louisiana state police has issued a statement on Facebook; it doesn’t contain any fresh information at this point:Louisiana state police has issued a statement on Facebook; it doesn’t contain any fresh information at this point:
Troopers are working closely with the Lafayette Police Department as well as numerous other agencies to provide assistance and investigate the shooting incident at the Grand Theater.Troopers are working closely with the Lafayette Police Department as well as numerous other agencies to provide assistance and investigate the shooting incident at the Grand Theater.
Please keep the families of the victims in your thoughts and prayers.Please keep the families of the victims in your thoughts and prayers.
We know the FBI and ATF are also on the scene.We know the FBI and ATF are also on the scene.
12.35pm AEST03:3512.35pm AEST03:35
'Two confirmed dead' – ambulance VP'Two confirmed dead' – ambulance VP
Clay Henry, vice-president of operations for Acadian Ambulance, has confirmed that two people have died in the shooting.Clay Henry, vice-president of operations for Acadian Ambulance, has confirmed that two people have died in the shooting.
He could not confirm if one of them was the shooter, although police have said they believe the perpetrator is dead.He could not confirm if one of them was the shooter, although police have said they believe the perpetrator is dead.
Henry said nine injured people have been taken to three separate hospitals in Louisiana.Henry said nine injured people have been taken to three separate hospitals in Louisiana.
He said there were a “range of injuries”, some of them serious.He said there were a “range of injuries”, some of them serious.
12.31pm AEST03:3112.31pm AEST03:31
Police attended the scene at around 7.30pm local time; the Trainwreck screening began at 7pm. It’s believed the shooting began around 20 minutes into the movie.Police attended the scene at around 7.30pm local time; the Trainwreck screening began at 7pm. It’s believed the shooting began around 20 minutes into the movie.
Lafayette Police received the call at approximately 730 pm, shooting involves multiple victims.Lafayette Police received the call at approximately 730 pm, shooting involves multiple victims.
12.26pm AEST03:2612.26pm AEST03:26
The Louisiana shooting comes as jurors are still considering whether the death penalty should be applied to the case of James Holmes in Aurora, Colorado.The Louisiana shooting comes as jurors are still considering whether the death penalty should be applied to the case of James Holmes in Aurora, Colorado.
Holmes killed 12 people and injured 70 when he went on the rampage at a movie theater on 20 July 2012 during a showing of the Dark Knight Rises.Holmes killed 12 people and injured 70 when he went on the rampage at a movie theater on 20 July 2012 during a showing of the Dark Knight Rises.
Holmes has been convicted on 165 counts: two charges of first-degree murder for each of his deceased victims, two charges of attempted murder for each of the victims he wounded, and one charge of explosives possession.Holmes has been convicted on 165 counts: two charges of first-degree murder for each of his deceased victims, two charges of attempted murder for each of the victims he wounded, and one charge of explosives possession.
Updated at 12.27pm AEST Updated at 1.17pm AEST
12.21pm AEST03:2112.21pm AEST03:21
We are seeing some images from the scene now.We are seeing some images from the scene now.
It’s worth reiterating that the Lafayette police chief has said the situation was confined to the movie theater.It’s worth reiterating that the Lafayette police chief has said the situation was confined to the movie theater.
12.17pm AEST03:1712.17pm AEST03:17
Clay Henry, vice-president of operations for Acadian Ambulance, which covers much of Louisiana, has told the Associated Press that 10 people were shot.Clay Henry, vice-president of operations for Acadian Ambulance, which covers much of Louisiana, has told the Associated Press that 10 people were shot.
Henry said eight people were brought to the hospital.Henry said eight people were brought to the hospital.
He said the gunman and one other person were pronounced dead on arrival.He said the gunman and one other person were pronounced dead on arrival.
Emergency workers got the call to go to the theater about 7.30pm local time.Emergency workers got the call to go to the theater about 7.30pm local time.
12.10pm AEST03:1012.10pm AEST03:10
'We think the shooter is deceased' – police'We think the shooter is deceased' – police
Jim Craft, police chief in Lafayette, has told reporters that police think the shooter has died. Officers entered the theater to “engage the shooter”, he confirmed.Jim Craft, police chief in Lafayette, has told reporters that police think the shooter has died. Officers entered the theater to “engage the shooter”, he confirmed.
He said the “situation is contained” to the theater.He said the “situation is contained” to the theater.
He could not confirm the number of fatalities.He could not confirm the number of fatalities.
A number of people have been wounded, but Craft did not give details of their injuries.A number of people have been wounded, but Craft did not give details of their injuries.
Updated at 1.18pm AEST
12.06pm AEST03:0612.06pm AEST03:06
CNN is currently hearing from Keifer Sanders, who was reportedly in a theater across the hall from the one in which the shooting took place.CNN is currently hearing from Keifer Sanders, who was reportedly in a theater across the hall from the one in which the shooting took place.
He tells CNN he did not hear shots. People in his theater were evacuated and Sanders says he saw at least one person injured, a woman who had been wounded in the leg.He tells CNN he did not hear shots. People in his theater were evacuated and Sanders says he saw at least one person injured, a woman who had been wounded in the leg.
He says police were yelling at everyone to move out of the way, but he did not see officers fire any shots.He says police were yelling at everyone to move out of the way, but he did not see officers fire any shots.
12.00pm AEST03:0012.00pm AEST03:00
The shooting reportedly took place during a screening of the Amy Schumer movie Trainwreck.The shooting reportedly took place during a screening of the Amy Schumer movie Trainwreck.
The map below shows the location of the Grand 16 movie theater in Lafayette.The map below shows the location of the Grand 16 movie theater in Lafayette.
Updated at 12.04pm AEST Updated at 1.18pm AEST
11.54am AEST02:5411.54am AEST02:54
Associated Press has a report from an unnamed ambulance official that at least two people are dead, including the gunman.Associated Press has a report from an unnamed ambulance official that at least two people are dead, including the gunman.
I should stress that this is unconfirmed at present. But it does appear that there have been fatalities and injuries in the shooting.I should stress that this is unconfirmed at present. But it does appear that there have been fatalities and injuries in the shooting.
11.52am AEST02:5211.52am AEST02:52
Opening summaryOpening summary
Claire Phipps
There are multiple reports of a shooting that has taken place in the Grand Theater in Lafayette, Louisiana.There are multiple reports of a shooting that has taken place in the Grand Theater in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Although there are local reports of fatalities, this has not yet been confirmed.Although there are local reports of fatalities, this has not yet been confirmed.
Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal is on his way to the scene and has tweeted confirmation of the attack:Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal is on his way to the scene and has tweeted confirmation of the attack:
Prayers for Lafayette at Grand Theater. Talking to state police colonel about shooting in Lafayette.Prayers for Lafayette at Grand Theater. Talking to state police colonel about shooting in Lafayette.
I'm on my way to Lafayette right now. Please say a prayer for the victims at Grand Theatre and their families.I'm on my way to Lafayette right now. Please say a prayer for the victims at Grand Theatre and their families.
We will have the latest on this unfolding story here.We will have the latest on this unfolding story here.
Updated at 12.04pm AEST Updated at 1.18pm AEST