As the tragic Louisiana shooting in a local theater continues to unfold, the mental and criminal records of the lone suspect reveals a startling detail: he was once placed in psychiatric care by none other than his own family.
John Russell Houser (also called Rusty Houser), 59, was considered to be disturbed and had a volatile mental health, according to his family. A few years ago, he received a restraining order against his family including his wife and other relatives. The protective order, Reuters reported, was filed after Houser wanted to stop his daughter's wedding. The wife also revealed that his husband was taking medications for his bipolar disorder around the same period.
But before that, his family already committed him to a psychiatric hospital involuntarily as fears for their own safety and his own began to mount.
Based on the other interviews and more court and medical records, Houser also seemed to have deep-seated anger on two types of people: women and liberals. He also had strong views about the political system in the country. A politician who once met him in council meetings called his behavior as erratic.
Aside from domestic violence, he was also accused of arson solicitation. Although he was never convicted in any of the allegations, he was also denied the ability to carry a concealed weapon. Nevertheless, he was still able to buy a .40 Highpoint semiautomatic he used during the shooting legally in Alabama, citing his non-convictions.
On Thursday night, July 23, Houser, who had no prior connection to the town and had been staying in a motel with the money he borrowed from his mother, was one of the people who watched the movie Trainwreck. But roughly around 20 minutes of the film, he started firing shots, which enforcers described as methodical. He eventually shot 11 people in the theater, 2 of whom were killed. At least 5 people are expected to be discharged from the hospital.