2015 Lafayette Movie Theater Shooting

On the evening of July 23, 2015, a mass shooting occurred at the Grand 16 movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana, during a 7:10 p.m. screening of the film Trainwreck. 59-year-old John Russell Houser entered the theater alone, purchased a ticket after the film had already begun, and sat in the second-to-last row among 25 patrons in the auditorium. Shortly before 7:30 p.m., he stood, drew a Hi-Point Model JCP .40-caliber handgun, and began firing indiscriminately while walking down the theater steps, firing at least 13 rounds and reloading once.

Two women were killed: Mayci Breaux, 21, of Franklin, Louisiana, a student at Louisiana State University Eunice, who died at the scene from a single gunshot wound; and Jillian Johnson, 33, of Lafayette, a visual and musical artist, who died at a nearby hospital from two gunshot wounds. Nine other people were injured, with wounds ranging from light to critical, some sustained from gunfire and others from accidents while fleeing.

After the shooting, Houser attempted to exit through a side door and blend in with fleeing survivors, but upon noticing police sirens he returned inside and fired three more shots at moviegoers before fatally shooting himself in the mouth. Responding officers arrived within a minute of a 7:28 p.m. report and located Houser's body about two and a half minutes after entering the auditorium. Testing later found his blood alcohol level at 0.1, above the legal driving limit of 0.08.

The investigation, involving Louisiana State Police, the FBI, the ATF, and local law enforcement, found that Houser had been staying at a nearby motel with wigs and disguises, and had switched license plates on his vehicle and near an exit door, suggesting an attempt to escape. A 39-page journal recovered from Houser referenced the theater and screening time but did not establish a clear motive. Investigators also examined Houser's history of mental health treatment, including a 2008 evaluation and 2009 treatment, and reviewed online posts reflecting extremist and misogynistic views, though authorities did not officially confirm a motive.

Houser had a documented history of arrests including arson, domestic violence complaints, and stalking, along with a 2008 protective order filed by his family and prior involuntary commitment. He had no significant ties to Lafayette beyond a deceased uncle who once lived there; investigators believed he may have been passing through the area en route to Texas. The Grand 16 theater closed following the shooting and reopened four months later, on November 19, 2015, after a ceremony honoring the victims. A 589-page police report on the incident was released on January 13, 2016.