Three killed in Lafayette theatre shooting in Louisiana

At least two people were killed and seven others injured as a gunman opened fire inside a theatre in U.S. state of Louisiana, before shooting himself dead, officials said.

The attack took place at the Grand Theatre in Lafayette. Witnesses said that the assailant fired about 20 minutes into the screening of the film 'Trainwreck,' reported the BBC.

Police said that the attacker was a 58-year-old white male, armed with a handgun, and had a 'criminal history' that was not a recent one. They refused to divulge any further details.

The area has been cleared as a bomb squad examines a suspicious package in the gunman's car and a backpack inside the theatre.

About 100 people are believed to be inside the building at the time of the shooting.

Meanwhile, Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal, who arrived at the scene late on Thursday night, said that the state was a 'resilient' community and will get through this.

The incident took place just hours after U.S. President Barack Obama declared that gun reform had been his 'greatest frustration'.