The evening of Thursday witnessed a horrific incident at The Grand 16 Johnston Street movie theater in Lafayette, Louisiana, as a lone gunman opened fire, leaving three dead and nine others injured. The gunman, who later died from a self-inflicted wound, has yet to be officially identified.
Police responded to calls reporting an active shooter at the Grand 16 movie theater, located at 3141 Johnston St., shortly before 8 p.m. local time. Lafayette Police Chief Jim Craft confirmed the devastating toll: three fatalities, including the shooter, and nine individuals wounded. Two victims were pronounced dead at the scene within the cinema, while a third succumbed to their injuries after being transported to a local hospital. Eight of the injured were taken to hospitals by ambulance, and one was transported privately.
Eyewitness accounts described the suspect as a middle-aged white male. State Police later indicated the shooter was 58 years old, though his identity remained undisclosed on Thursday night as investigations continued.
Chaos Unfolds Inside Theater 14
Katie Domingue, a witness from Carencro, recounted the terrifying moments inside Theater No. 14 during the 7 p.m. showing of “Trainwreck.” Approximately 20 minutes into the film, Domingue and her fiancé, Joshua Doggett, heard what they initially mistook for firecrackers.
“We heard a loud pop we thought was a firecracker,” Domingue stated. However, the reality quickly became apparent as she witnessed “an older white man” standing and firing downwards, though not directly at her. Domingue estimated hearing around six shots before she and Doggett fled for the nearest exit, abandoning personal belongings in their haste to escape the unfolding horror. She noted, “He wasn’t saying anything. I didn’t hear anybody screaming either,” in the immediate moments of the shooting.
The parking area of The Grand 16 Johnston Street became a scene of pandemonium as emergency services flooded the location. News outlets were directed to report from a nearby coffee shop, Johnston Street Java, as the parking lot became occupied by a multitude of emergency vehicles, including a Haz-Mat unit, indicating the seriousness and scale of the incident.
As a precautionary measure, authorities also temporarily closed the Grand 14 theater on Kaliste Saloom. This location was later cleared around 10 p.m., with a continued police presence to ensure public safety.
Randall Mann, VP of marketing for Acadian Ambulance, detailed the rapid response, stating that 10 ambulances and 26 paramedics were dispatched to the Johnston Street theater. An additional three ambulances were placed on standby nearby to provide further support if needed. The first ambulances arrived at the scene within a critical seven-minute timeframe after the initial emergency call was received.
Police Chief Craft addressed the uncertainty surrounding the shooter’s motives, stating, “We don’t know if this was just a random act or whether it was a domestic situation.” He emphasized that the investigation was still in its early stages.
Victim Identities and Community Response
While official confirmation was pending, reports circulated identifying some of those wounded, including Dwight S. “Bo” Ramsay, a prominent Lafayette oilman and chairman of Aries Marine Corp., and his wife, Gerri. The extent of their injuries remained unclear amidst the unfolding situation. Authorities confirmed that some victims suffered critical injuries, while others sustained less severe wounds.
Lafayette General Medical Center, the largest hospital in the Acadiana region, was reported to be receiving victims. However, in accordance with police protocol, hospital spokesperson Daryl Cetnar refrained from confirming victim admittance, indicating a formal statement would be released the following day. Despite the official silence, family members and friends of the injured gathered within the hospital’s Emergency Room, seeking information and solace. A Catholic priest was also present, offering support to those affected.
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal addressed the state from Johnston Street in Lafayette, expressing his grief and calling for collective prayer. “The best thing anybody can do right now is to think about them, pray for them,” Governor Jindal urged. “We will get through this. We are a resilient community. This is an awful night for Lafayette. This is an awful night for Louisiana. This is an awful night for the United States.” He later lauded the “amazing acts of heroism and selflessness” displayed by both victims and first responders at the scene.
U.S. Representative Charles Boustany, representing Lafayette, issued a statement conveying his sorrow. “I’m saddened at the terrible loss of life represented in tonight’s tragic shooting at a movie theater in my hometown of Lafayette,” Boustany stated. “Bridget and I are praying for the families and friends of the victims at this difficult time. I will work with the Lafayette Police Department, local, state and federal officials to get to the bottom of what happened tonight.”
Eyewitness Details Harrowing Escape
Jalen Fernell, 20, of Lafayette, was in a different theater, watching “Southpaw,” when the chaos erupted at The Grand 16 Johnston Street. He initially mistook the gunshots for sounds from the movie. “They were very faint over the movie. I thought it was part of the movie,” Fernell recounted. “About five seconds later, sirens went off and I realized it wasn’t the movie.”
An announcement over the intercom instructed moviegoers to evacuate, triggering widespread panic as patrons, initially unaware of the precise danger, began to flee. Outside, Fernell witnessed the grim reality of the situation. “I saw a woman lying on the ground outside with blood everywhere. She was shot in the leg,” he described. The uncertainty and fear were palpable, “You’re scared to walk through the parking lot, You don’t know if the guy’s in a car, hiding in the parking lot.”
Fernell described the arrival of more police, armed with assault rifles, entering the theater. “I heard gunshots like a war going on,” he said, detailing the intense sounds of gunfire as law enforcement engaged inside. Following a pause in the shooting, radio communication from a police car indicated that six individuals were down in Theater No. 14. Eventually, word spread that the suspect was deceased, having taken his own life.
Emily Mann, 21, another “Trainwreck” attendee, was seated in the second row of Theater No. 14. Her father, Randall Mann of Acadian Ambulance, relayed her experience, stating she heard popping sounds and saw flashes from a gun held by a man in the same row, across the theater. Understandably shaken, Emily was not able to speak about the event on Thursday night.
The Grand 16 Johnston Street, owned by Southern Theatres LLC, along with their Broussard location, became the focal point of community grief and shock. Southern Theatres operates numerous multiplex cinemas across several states. The incident at their Lafayette location has cast a shadow over the community and prompted a period of mourning and investigation.
This report incorporates information from The Daily Advertiser reporters Seth Dickerson, Jessica Goff, Claire Taylor, Herman Fuselier, and Ken Stickney.
