“Trainwreck” star Amy Schumer was one of the first members of the Hollywood community to respond after the shooting at a Lafayette, Louisiana, movie theater that killed three people, including the lone gunman. Nine others were injured.
“My heart is broken and all my thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Louisiana,” the comedian tweeted.
The shooting happened during a screening at the Grand 16 Theatre of the comedy, which also stars Bill Hader and LeBron James. It was directed by Judd Apatow, who had not yet commented as of the time of publication.
Other stars quickly reacted when they heard the news, including British singer Sam Smith, who expressed his despair. “ANOTHER shooting. What is happening. So sad. Thoughts are with the family’s of those injured and killed,” Smith tweeted.
“So sad to hear about the #Lafayette shooting. Prayers go to the victims and their families,” boxer Sugar Ray Leonard wrote on Twitter.
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump also offered his condolences. “Thoughts & prayers with everyone in Lafayette, Louisiana this evening,” he wrote.
Bob Gazzale, President and CEO of the American Film Institute issued a statement to TheWrap saying: “Going to a summer movie is a celebration of the American creative spirit and one of our nation’s most beloved pastimes. Let us stand together in these times of tragedy and embrace what is precious to us — churches, schools and places where the arts can send our spirits soaring.
“As a national community of artists and audiences, AFI offers our heartfelt sympathies to the victims in Louisiana and their families,” he added.
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, also a Republican candidate for president, said he was “horrified and shocked,” and thanked emergency crews for their bravery at a press conference on Thursday night.
“The first responders, the law enforcement community, they ran towards the shots fired. They ran towards danger, not away from it,” Jindal said.
However, a number of social media users criticized Jindal, who has actively spoken out against restrictions on gun ownership.
“I’ll meet you halfway, Bobby Jindal. I’ll pray that elected people like you get serious about stopping our national epidemic of gun violence,” Wil Wheaton, former “Star Trek: The Next Generation” actor said on Twitter.
Read several tweets, as compiled by TheWrap below, and video reaction from “Veep” actor Tony Hale.
https://twitter.com/amyschumer/status/624419088924741632
ANOTHER shooting. What is happening. So sad. Thoughts are with the family's of those injured and killed x
— SAM SMITH (@samsmith) July 24, 2015
https://twitter.com/johngreen/status/624423584492982273
https://twitter.com/michaelianblack/status/624409637580894208
https://twitter.com/wilw/status/624437486836584448
Thoughts & prayers with everyone in Lafayette, Louisiana this evening.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 24, 2015
My heart and prayers go out to those in Louisiana affected by the shooting tonight. As a nation we NEED to rise above the violence.
— Tamera Mowry-Housley (@TameraMowryTwo) July 24, 2015
So tragic what has happened in Lafayette La-what is with all this hate/violence going around this nation ?Can't we learn to LOVE one another
— Dick Vitale (@DickieV) July 24, 2015
The culture of violence is not new. Our country was built on a culture of violence. We have to consciously decide to change.
— Wendell Pierce (@WendellPierce) July 24, 2015
https://twitter.com/timothycsimons/status/624419012731105280
https://twitter.com/TheOrlandoJones/status/624420820132216836
Thoughts and prayers go out to the victims of the Lafayette shooting. My wife is from that area, and knows one of the injured. Hits home.
— Jack Osbourne (@JackOsbourne) July 24, 2015
My thoughts & well wishes are w/ the people of #Lafayette Louisiana tonight. 3 dead & 7(or more) injured in a theater shooting.Horrible news
— Larry King (@kingsthings) July 24, 2015
https://twitter.com/Montel_Williams/status/624418607053733890