Free Republic

Filing shows she moved all weapons from their marital residenceThe wife of Louisiana shooter John Russel Houser sought a protective order against him in 2008 after he "exhibited extreme erratic behavior" and "made ominous as well as disturbing statements," according to court documents cited by the AP. The filing for the order, which was at least temporarily granted, says that his wife, Kellie Maddox Houser, had "become so worried about the defendant's volatile mental state that she … removed all guns and/or weapons from their marital residence." The papers also noted John Houser had "a history of mental health issues,...

The man alleged to have shot up a movie theater in Lafayette, La., has been identified as John Russel "Rusty" Houser, a former political candidate and activist here in Columbus. Columbus police confirm that federal authorities have contacted them about tracking Houser's background. Houser is the son of the late Rembert Houser, a longtime city tax commissioner. Rusty Houser had a history here of political activism, fighting taxes and at one point running for office. [....] According to the Associated Press, 2008 court records show Houser's family sought protective orders because he "exhibited extreme erratic behavior and has made ominous...

The gunman who opened fire inside a packed movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana, Thursday night, was John Russel Houser, police said at a news conference this morning. Houser, 59, is among three people who died, police said. Nine others were injured.

The man identified as killing two people and wounding nine more in last night's shooting is John Russell Houser, 59, of Alabama. He spent time in an East Alabama Mental Health Facility from 2008 to 2009, Russell County, Ga., Sheriff Heath Taylor tells KATC. They're unsure what he was treated for, but will hold a press conference this afternoon to release information about him. Houser was previously arrested for arson in Columbus, Georgia, but Taylor was unsure when that arrest happened. It may have been decades ago. Houser was evicted from his Phenix City, Ala., home in March 2014, Taylor...

Victims, gunman identified in Grand 16 shooting The victims who died in last night's shooting at The Grand 16 have been identified as 21-year-old Mayci Breaux of Franklin and 33-year-old Jillian Johnson of Lafayette. The shooter, who shot himself in the theater, has been identified as 58-year-old John Houser of Alabama. Police say he was a "drifter" who had been in the Lafayette area since early July. He fired 13 rounds into the theater during the 7 p.m. showing of "Trainwreck." One of the victims and the gunman died at the scene. A second victim died at an area hospital....