Tragedy at ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ Screening As Gunman Kills 12, Injures at Least 50
At least 12 people were killed and 50 injured when someone went into an Aurora, Colorado movie theater during a midnight screening of 'The Dark Knight Rises' Friday morning, fired a smoke grenade and began shooting.
Ten people died in the theater near the Aurora Mall and two more passed away in local hospitals. Initially, police said 14 people had died, but only 12 have been confirmed. In addition to injuries sustained from gunshots, a mortician said several people were hurt by a scrap metal pepper bomb.
Gunshots were fired in one theater, but managed to also injure people sitting in another one.
More than 250 officers were called onto the scene in response to the violent episode. The youngest person killed is reportedly three months old.
Authorities say they have arrested a 24-year-old suspect who was apprehended with a pair of weapons on him, including a rifle and a handgun. Police also said they discovered another weapon, but would not disclose what it was. The suspect also reportedly mentioned having bombs in his home. Authorities are investigating.
Upon learning about the incident, President Obama said he was "shocked and saddened."
[KMGH]
UPDATE - 7:00am 07/20/2012
Raw Video from a cellphone has been posted to YouTube in documenting the aftermath of the shooting.
WARNING: This footage is raw and may contain offensive language.
UPDATE - 7:39am 07/20/2012
Authorities say they have arrested a 24-year-old suspect who was apprehended with a pair of weapons on him, including a rifle and a handgun. The man has been identified as James Holmes. Police also said they discovered another weapon, but would not disclose what it was. Holmes reportedly mentioned having bombs in his home. Authorities are investigating.
Holmes reportedly wore a bulletproof vest and a mask during his rampage. Meanwhile, a San Diego woman who says she is Holmes’ mother expressed little surprise with his behavior. She said, “You have the right person,” she said, apparently speaking on gut instinct. “I need to call the police… I need to fly out to Colorado.”
UPDATE - 9:00am 07/20/2012
Police say Colo. suspect's apartment booby trapped
AURORA, Colo. (AP) — Police say the apartment of the suspect in a mass shooting at a Denver area movie theater is booby trapped, so they've evacuated five surrounding buildings.
Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates says bomb technicians are determining how to disarm flammable or explosive material in the third-floor apartment. He says police could be there some time.
Oates says pictures from inside the apartment are fairly disturbing and the devices look to be sophisticated.
FBI agents and police used a hook and ladder fire truck and put a camera at the end of 12-foot pole inside the apartment where 24-year-old James Holmes lives.
The apartment is about four miles from the theater where at least 12 people were killed and 50 were wounded.