The suspect in the Lafayette movie theater shooting had a criminal record dating back decades. John Russell Houser was denied a concealed weapons permit.
The 59-year-old lived in Phenix City, Alabama, off and on from 2005 until last year.
Russell County Sheriff Heath Taylor says Houser’s criminal history blocked his attempt for a permit to carry a gun.
“The reason for the denial was we had the report of domestic violence against him, and in ’89 or ’90 he was arrested for an arson case in Columbus, Georgia," he said.
Taylor says officials received a domestic violence complaint against Houser in 2005, but the victim didn't want to prosecute.
