According to police, at least three people have died, including the gunman, who reportedly killed himself before authorities arrived on the scene at the Grand 16 Theatre. The gunman has been identified as a 58-year-old white male, who allegedly randomly opened fire in the theater during the screening, which took place at around 7:30 p.m. local time. He is not believed to have had any prior connection to any of the approximately 100 theater-goers, police said, and it is believed he acted alone.
As local and federal officials try to make sense of that horrific act, Schumer herself has offered her condolences to the grieving families and friends of the victims.
"My heart is broken and all my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Louisiana," Schumer tweeted late Thursday night.
Seven other people were transported to local hospitals with injuries ranging from minor to critical. One victim in surgery late Thursday night was "not doing so well," according to authorities.
In addition to local officials, representatives from the the Lafayette Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, the FBI, and ATF were all investigating on the scene, including sweeping the area for possible explosive devices. A suspicious package was found near the alleged gunman's car, prompting an evacuation of the surrounding area, but it was later cleared, authorities said.
Thursday's scene was an eerie echo of the 2012 tragedy in Aurora, Colorado, when gunman James Holmes opened fire at a packed screening of "The Dark Knight Rises," killing 12 people and injuring 70 others. Holmes was recently found guilty of that crime; he's currently awaiting sentencing, where he may face the death penalty.
[via: Screen Crush]
Photo credit: Getty Images
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