During the latest press conference held at the Grand 16 this afternoon, officials gave the latest details that have surfaced during the investigation of the tragic Grand 16 shooting.

Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft told the media the investigation that has taken place so far has been slow and deliberate.

Craft said information gathered from victims' testimonies led investigators to believe the shooter, John Houser, fired 10 rounds, then exited theater 14 through a side door. He then re-entered the theater, supposedly becuase he saw police already arriving on the scene, and fired four more rounds before turning the gun on himself.

Craft added, Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms investigators determined Houser bought the .40 caliber semi automatic pistol from a pawn shop in Phenix City, Ala.

As far as the condition of victims, Craft said, five people are still hospitalized; four have been released. Two victims, Mayci Breaux and Jillian Johnson are deceased.

In efforts to hold strong as the community mourns the random and senseless violence, Craft said counseling services are being secured for "the police, the victims, the victims' families and citizens of our community." He said a counseling shelter should be opened by Monday.

"We need to do everything we can to bring closure to these families," said Col. Mike Edmonson, superintendent of the Louisiana State Police. "We’re going to pull all the info we can to figure out what caused that guy to be here."

Edmonson added the FBI has been interviewing members of Houser's family including his estranged wife, mother and siblings to attempt to figure out what may have led Houser to commit what Gov. Bobby Jindal called a "random and senseless act of violence."

"It’s going to be tough," Jindal told the media. "We need time to grieve. We’re trying to make sense of a senseless act.  We will get through this. Now, we need to shower the families (of the victims) with love."

 

"It hasn’t changed how safe this community is," City Parish President Joey Durel said. "Don’t forget. Lafayette was a safe city yesterday. It is a safe city today."

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