‘Trainwreck’ Shooter’s Wife Filed Protective Order Against Him in 2008 After ‘Extreme Erratic Behavior’

Court documents say John Russell Houser has “exhibited extreme erratic behavior” and “made ominous as well as disturbing statements” in the past

“Trainwreck” gunman John Russell Houser’s wife and other family members asked for a temporary protective order against him in 2008.

Court documents obtained by the Associated Press show that Houser’s family complained he had “exhibited extreme erratic behavior” and made “ominous as well as disturbing statements” years before opening fire inside a screening of the Amy Schumer comedy in Lafayette, Louisiana on Thursday. The 58-year-old man killed two people and wounded nine others at the Grand 16 Theatre before taking his own life.

Even though he lived in Phenix City, Alabama, Houser had come to Carroll County, Georgia, where the family lived, and had “perpetrated various acts of family violence.”

According to the documents, Houser has a “history of mental health issues, i.e. manic depression and/or bi-polar disorder.”

The documents also allege that Houser’s then-wife, Kellie Maddox Houser, “has become to so worried about the defendant’s volatile mental state that she has removed all guns and/or weapons from their martial residence.”

The order was at least temporarily granted, and she filed for divorce in March.

The shooting was first reported at 7:30 p.m. CT, officials said. On Friday, authorities identified the two dead victims as 21-year-old Mayci Breaux of Franklin, Louisiana and 33-year-old Lafayette resident Jillian Johnson.

Police said the gunman’s original plan was to carry out the shootings and then escape to his car, which was parked outside an exit door. Quick police response thwarted his plans, however, and Houser shot himself. Overall, he fired at least 13 rounds.

“He’s kind of a drifter,” police said, explaining he previously lived in Alabama but had been in Lafayette since early July, residing in a motel.

Police discovered wigs, glasses, and disguises in his motel room Friday morning. At this point, police have not discovered a motive.

“Why did he come here? Why did he do that? We don’t know that,” Col. Michael Edmonson of the Louisiana State Police said.

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