Friday, July 20, 2012

Massacre In Aurora, Colorado Movie Theater At Premiere Showing of Batman Movie

By Susan Duclos

James Holmes, via 10News.com
Denver Post reports  at least 12 were killed and 50 wounded when a gunman entered through an emergency exit, threw some type of explosive then opened fire on the packed theater of movie-goers there to watch the premiere showing of the the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises."


[Update] 10 News has shown two photos of the suspected shooter, one shown to the left and a younger Holmes found here.


Denver Post also shows raw video from the scene, shown below:





The man in custody, according to ABC News is 24 year- James Holmes. Holmes was taken into custody after being caught in the parking lot of the  Century 16 Movie Theaters, wearing a bullet proof vest, a riot helmet and armed with a rifle and a handgun and carrying a gas mask.

Associated Press reports 14 victims died and 50 were wounded. AP also points out this is the worst mass shooting in Colorado since the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999.

[Updated note]- AP's number revised back to the 12 killed that others are reporting.


[Updates] ABC News issues a correction to their initial suggestion that Holmes was a member of the Colorado Tea Party.

An earlier ABC News broadcast report suggested that a Jim Holmes of a Colorado Tea Party organization might be the suspect, but that report was incorrect. Several other local residents with similar names were also contacted via social media by members of the public who mistook them for the suspect.  

Warner Brothers issues a statement:

Warner Bros. and the filmmakers are 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.

The Hollywood Reporter reports that the red-carpet premiere in Paris scheduled for Friday night has been cancelled.

Another video via Reuters, below:






Airforce Times reports that service members from Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., are among those injured in the early morning shooting Friday in Aurora.

It is not yet known how many were injured or if they were all from the Air Force, LaVoie said. The shooting happened at a movie theater about five miles from the base.

“This tragic event has affected everybody here at Buckley Air Force Base and our local community friends and neighbors,” base commander Col. Daniel Dant said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of each and every loved one. All military or their families affected can receive assistance through our base services. Please contact the base chapel 720-847-4631 if you or a loved one need assistance due to this event.”

ABC News issues and apology:

"An earlier ABC News broadcast report suggested that a Jim Holmes of a Colorado Tea Party organization might be the suspect, but that report was incorrect," ABC News said in a statement. "ABC News and Brian Ross apologize for the mistake, and for disseminating that information before it was properly vetted."

Huffington Post reports there were explosives found in Holmes' apartment, described as "very sophisticated," and could take some time to disarm.

The FBI has reveals that Holmes is a white man,  6 feet, 3 inches tall and 24 years old, born on  Dec. 13, 1987.

CBS New York reports that according to  Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, the gun man had his hair painted red and said he was "The Joker,’ obviously the ‘enemy’ of Batman,” Kelly said about the suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes, at a news conference Friday."

Followup pieces by Faultline USA:

ABC's Brian Ross Should Be Fired!

Theater Shootings: Taking America's Guns Away Will NOT Solve The Problem



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