At least 12 people were killed and at least 50 were injured when a masked gunman reportedly kicked open an exit door and opened fire during a midnight showing of the Dark Knight Rises at a mall in Aurora, Colo. Aurora police chief Dan Oates said that 10 died during the attack, and two more died in area hospitals.
Police and witness reports indicate that a gunman fired into the audience 15 minutes into the midnight showing of the film. Police confirmed that the shooter — who entered theater number 9 dressed all in black and wearing a gas mask and released a canister filled with gas — fired a rifle multiple times into the audience. Speaking on the Today show, one witness described the suspect as wearing a SWAT-like outfit. Several children, including a three-month-old and a six-year-old girl, were among those treated at nearby hospitals, according to reports.
Federal law enforcement officers identified the shooter as 24-year-old James Holmes. He was captured by police in a back parking lot and was taken into custody. Authorities are saying that it appears this suspect acted alone. Police, however, are still scouring the immediate area and other local movie theaters for any possible accomplices. A Colo. bomb squad was also called to check reports that an explosion occurred within the movie theater, and to investigate a suspicious vehicle parked outside of the cinema.
At a Friday morning campaign rally in Fort Myers, Fla., President Obama put aside his planned campaign appearance. “There will be other days for politics,” he told the crowd. “This is a day for prayer and reflection.” The president had released a statement earlier in the morning. “Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado,” he said. “As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family.”
At an early morning press conference, Oates said his officers found the gunman with a mask, a rifle and a handgun by a car behind the theater — at least two more weapons, an assault weapon and another handgun, were found inside the man’s vehicle. ”He did not resist. He did not put up a fight,” Frank Fania, a police spokesman told CNN.
The police chief added that the suspect told officers after being taken into custody that there may be explosives in his apartment. Oates told reporters that authorities had evacuated a complex in North Aurora, a three-story brick apartment complex at East 17th Avenue and Peoria Street in Aurora, located about four miles from the movie theater, according to 9News.
Witnesses say that the bullets went through the wall from the theater where the shooting took place and hit several victims in an adjacent Dark Knight midnight showing. “We just heard a pop, pop, pop, pop,” Quentin Caldwell, who was attending the Batman showing in an adjacent theater, told CNN. The shooting happened at about 12:30 a.m. at the Town Center in Aurora at the Century 16 theater on East Alameda Avenue, according to KCNC. Theater 9 has a capacity of around 300 people.
Warner Brothers, the studio which created the Dark Knight film, issued a statement Friday morning: “Warner Bros. is deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time.” Warner Brothers, (who like TIME, is owned by Time Warner), also decided to cancel the Friday evening Paris premiere of The Dark Knight Rises, The Hollywood Reporter notes.
U.S. Representative Ed Perlmutter (D-CO), who represents Aurora, also issued a statement Friday morning: “Colorado is not a violent place, but we have some violent people. We are a strong and resilient community, and we will lean on each other in the days, weeks and months to come.”
Read more: http://newsfeed.time.com/2012/07/20/shooting-rampage-at-dark-knight-showing-in-colo-10-dead/#ixzz21Az5Yov0
I've heard 14 people died so far.And I've heard that 15 died. My guess it's an estimation.
My cousin told me it was because somebody spoiled the movieI hate when people talk during movies just as much as the next person, seems like a bit of an overreaction though~
I dunno if this may spark your interest or anything, but this seems to relate to another incident 13 years ago at Columbine High, in Colorado.The shooter might've based his actions on that incident, but that doesn't make it a conspiracy. >.<
On April 20th, two seniors went on a shooting spree. 13 people were killed, 12 students and one teacher.
I mean, I'm heavily into conspiracy theories and although this is a bit far-fetched(and I may just be crazy), but these two COULD have some relation. o.o
It's interesting either way.
Das whut le TV said.
the worst part about it is the movie will be remembered and overshadowed by this tragic event. and this movie was a masterpiece tooTo be absolutely honest, I doubt that will happen. I don't mean to sound evil or cold, but not -that- many people died, as opposed to other tragic events that have happened this year.
It's just the opposite here, this makes me want to see the movie, I'm such a badass. Taking a bulletproof vest with me though. :Pthe worst part about it is the movie will be remembered and overshadowed by this tragic event. and this movie was a masterpiece tooTo be absolutely honest, I doubt that will happen. I don't mean to sound evil or cold, but not -that- many people died, as opposed to other tragic events that have happened this year.
So I don't think many people will think that this movie will be overshadowed, especially outside of America.
You know what I just realized that makes this whole situation even more shitty?Still, when you think of a psycho or a pedophile, you usually end up with a white guy.
This killer was white. Everybody thinks he was just a crazy guy
What if this guy was Arab or muslim? Everyone would be so quick to judge, they would be hating on the whole religion because of something one person did
Goddamn, sometimes Americans piss me off so much it makes me ashamed to be one of them
I also love the way bank robbers are seen as white, yet robbers in general are seen as black. You americans are so funneh~You know what I just realized that makes this whole situation even more shitty?Still, when you think of a psycho or a pedophile, you usually end up with a white guy.
This killer was white. Everybody thinks he was just a crazy guy
What if this guy was Arab or muslim? Everyone would be so quick to judge, they would be hating on the whole religion because of something one person did
Goddamn, sometimes Americans piss me off so much it makes me ashamed to be one of them
I also love the way bank robbers are seen as white, yet robbers in general are seen as black. You americans are so funneh~Bank robbers are all Russian too :P
Anyway, still seeing the movie even though this happened.Same, though I was never planning to go to a cinema to see it. So my downloading stance still stands =3