Three Dead in Shooting at Lafayette, Louisiana Movie Theater

An active shooter situation at a Lafayette, Lousiana movie theater has left three people dead, including the alleged perpetrator, and seven more injured. Live updates of this story appear below, with the latest updates at the top.

UPDATE (1:59 p.m. CT): Trainwreck director Judd Apatow released a statement saying: “One of the reasons we make these movies is because the world can be so horrifying and we all need to laugh just to deal with it. So to have this happen in a room where people were smiling and laughing devastates me. My thoughts and love go out to the victims and anyone touched by this madness or any madness. We, as a country, need to find a way to do better.”

Universal Pictures added, “All of us at Universal Pictures send our heartfelt sympathies to the victims of this senseless tragedy and their families in Louisiana.”

UPDATE (9:32 a.m. CT): The shooter has been identified as a local “drifter” named John Russell Houser.

UPDATE (11:42 p.m. CT): An official with the Louisiana State Police told The New York Times that at this time investigators do not believe the shooter had an existing relationship with any of the approximately 100 moviegoers in attendance.

UPDATE (11:38 p.m. CT): Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft has told reporters that one of the seven shooting victims has been released from the hospital, but notes that another victim is "not doing so well" in surgery.

UPDATE (11:30 p.m. CT): The area near the shooter's vehicle has been evacuated after authorities noticed a suspicious package, the Associated Press reports.

UPDATE (11:20 p.m. CT): Actress Amy Schumer, whose movie Trainwreck was showing in the theater where the shooting took place, tweeted that she is "heartbroken."

UPDATE (11:12 p.m. CT): Amid the tragedy, KPEL shares the story of one act of heroism during the shooting. An unidentified person, said to be a teacher, jumped in front of a bullet to shield a friend. Despite sustaining injury, they were able to reach the fire alarm and pull it.

UPDATE: (10:50 p.m. CT): CNN is reporting that the weapon used in the shooting was a handgun.

UPDATE (10:23 p.m. CT): Authorities have yet to release the name of the deceased 58-year-old shooter, but report that he died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police have said they are aware of the man's identity but are withholding it pending further investigating into his background.

UPDATE (10:17 p.m. CT): Of the seven people injured during the shooting, three are considered critical.

UPDATE (10:05 p.m. CT): Authorities have confirmed that there are now three people dead in the incident, including the shooter. This report comes from the Associated Press.

UPDATE (10:01 p.m. CT): Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal is on scene and has commended law enforcement for their actions throughout the shooting.

"As governor, as a father and as a husband, whenever we see these or hear about these senseless acts of violence it makes us both furious and sad at the same time," Jindal said.

UPDATE (9:46 p.m. CT): Police Sgt. David Brooks tells CNN that the shooter was a 58-year-old white male has been identified as the shooter. He is believed to have acted alone in and is now dead.

UPDATE (9:41 p.m. CT): Police are confirming that two are dead, one of them the shooter, and nine are injured in the incident. The victims have been transported to area hospitals. This report comes via 96.5 KPEL in Lafayette.

This is a breaking news update to an existing story, which appears below.

Authorities in Lafayette, Louisiana are working to sort out the details after a shooting in the city's Grand Theatre 16 has left numerous people injured or dead, possibly including the alleged shooter.

Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft confirmed the incident but declined to release exact details noting that investigators are still determining exactly what took place.

"All of those things are being sorted out as I speak," Craft told news media on Thursday evening.

The shooting took place at approximately 8 p.m. CT.

Officials from multiple agencies including the Lafayette Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, FBI and ATF are processing the crime scene and sweeping the area for possible explosives or incendiary devices.

This is a breaking news story. Check back frequently for updates.