12 killed by gunman at Batman premiere

[melliedee]

(CNN) -- A heavily armed gunman tossed tear gas into an Aurora, Colorado move theater, then sprayed the audience with gunfire during an early morning screening of the new Batman movie, authorities said. Twelve people died and 50 were wounded.

One of the wounded victims was just 3 months old, according to hospital workers.

Police arrested a man believed to be the shooter in a rear parking lot of the theater, Frank Fania, a police spokesman, told CNN. The suspect was not immediately identified, though Fania said he was believed to be in his early 20s.

"He did not resist. He did not put up a fight," Fania said. Police seized a rifle and a handgun from the suspect, and another gun was found in the theater, he said.

12 dead, 50 wounded in shooting at Colorado theater, police chief says - CNN.com

[JEZ]

This is terrible...

BBC News - Batman US cinema shooting: 12 dead in Colorado

[melliedee]

They just interviewed a witness on CNN who said it felt like the shooting was timed with the action of the film. People thought at first that it was part of the movie.

They have him in custody, not identified yet.

[user 6507]

Originally Posted by melliedee

They just interviewed a witness on CNN who said it felt like the shooting was timed with the action of the film. People thought at first that it was part of the movie.

They have him in custody, not identified yet.

James Holmes maybe? Awful....

[melliedee]

Originally Posted by StephenB

James Holmes maybe? Awful....

The young man who is in custody after allegedly gunning down 12 people in a mass shooting spree overnight in Aurora, Colorado has been identified as local resident James Holmes, according to federal authorities.

Law enforcement officials and witnesses told ABC News Holmes, 24, wore what appeared to be a bullet-proof vest and riot-type mask as he opened fire in a movie theater with three weapons at a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises." In addition to the 12 deaths, at least 50 people were injured, according to police.

A San Diego woman who identified herself as James Holmes' mother told ABC News she had awoken unaware of the shooting and had not yet been contacted by authorities. She immediately expressed concern that her son may have been involved.

"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."

Aurora 'Dark Knight' Shooting Suspect Identified: James Holmes - ABC News

[Mnbruce]

How terribly sad.

[melliedee]

Another witness, Chayyiel Jackson, told the BBC: "During the first action scene in the movie, on the right side a dude came in all blacked out, with a black mask. At first we thought it was part of the movie event.

"He threw tear gas across the crowd and after that people started to panic. He pulled out a rifle and started shooting.

"I was wondering if this was real life or a dream."

Hospital officials said some of the wounded were being treated for the effects of tear gas.

Another eyewitness, identified only as Pam, told the BBC: "He fired a canister into the air. It shot it right into the air, then I started to hear the bang, bang, bang of a gun.

"I crawled my way through the row. Luckily the exit was close to where I was sitting so I got out pretty fast. I heard more shots as I left."

Another eyewitness, Salina Jordan, 19, told the Denver Post she had seen one girl shot in the cheek, and a girl who appeared to be about nine years old with a gunshot wound to the stomach.

A witness in the next-door theatre told 9News he initially thought live special effects had been laid on by the cinema after hearing loud bangs and seeing smoke.

BBC News - Batman US cinema shooting: 12 dead in Colorado

[bearcat]

Just a sick and tragc event. The shooter was too much of a coward to save a bullet for himself. Hope they stick his ass in Gen Pop for the rest of his life.

[melliedee]

Originally Posted by bearcat

Just a sick and tragc event. The shooter was too much of a coward to save a bullet for himself. Hope they stick his ass in Gen Pop for the rest of his life.

Not much information about him, but the mother's statement:

"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."

makes me think we might see a similar profile as Virginia Tech; that is, someone with a history of mental problems. Just speculation at this point.

[Rissask]

Originally Posted by StephenB

James Holmes maybe? Awful....

I am confused....you have heard of this guy...who is he? I couldn't find anything out at the links?

This is just terrible.

[melliedee]

Originally Posted by Rissask

I am confused....you have heard of this guy...who is he? I couldn't find anything out at the links?

This is just terrible.

They released his name but not much more info I can find yet.

[user 6507]

Originally Posted by Rissask

I am confused....you have heard of this guy...who is he? I couldn't find anything out at the links?

This is just terrible.

No....I just saw an early ID on the guy....never heard of him but at the time I wasn't certain they ID'd him correctly. ID now confirmed.

[Rissask]

oh, sorry guys...I thought it sounded like you maybe had heard of him for some reason, I thought maybe he was known for something already.

Right away my first thought was- former military, back from Iraq, PTSS....

Can you imagine being in that theatre and thinking it was part of the movie...and then it dawning on you that it is REAL.

[mrsr05]

Soooo tragic...

[ryberg]

Just woke up to hear about this. Hard to know what to say or think, except that it's like Columbine II for our community...