During a late-night screening of the new Batman movie, a masked gunman entered a cinema in Denver, killing at least 12 individuals and injuring 38 others, including children.
James Holmes, 24, appeared at the Aurora, Colorado mall wearing a gas mask, a bullet-proof vest, and dressed in black, where he deployed a smoke bomb at the showing of The Dark Knight Rises before he began to shoot.
According to Aurora police, the tragic incident resulted in the deaths of 12 people, with 10 victims’ bodies remaining inside the theater. The youngest victim is thought to be only 12 years old.
A number of injured individuals are now battling for their lives, including the youngest victim, just three months old, who is believed to have been shot at close range in the back.
Witnesses reported that the assailant stormed through the emergency exit at the front of the auditorium approximately 30 minutes into the screening, using a rifle and two handguns to shoot into the audience while ascending the stairs and selecting his victims indiscriminately.
The unidentified suspect was apprehended in a nearby parking lot with two firearms without encountering any resistance and informed police that explosives were located at his residence. He remains in custody.
‘He did not resist. He did not put up a fight,’ stated Frank Fania, a police spokesman, during an interview with CNN.
Police chief Dan Oates shared with reporters that an apartment building in northern Aurora was evacuated due to the suspect’s assertion that explosives were in his apartment.
Reports of an explosion occurred around 6:40 a.m. local time at the apartment.
According to police, another handgun is suspected to have been left in the cinema, with no evidence indicating the presence of additional assailants. He also noted that the motive remains unclear at this time.
‘Witnesses have informed us that he released some type of canister. They reported hearing a hissing sound followed by gas emanating before the gunman opened fire,’ Mr. Oates remarked at a news conference.
The tragic events at the Century 16 cinema complex commenced around 00:30 local time – shortly after the screening had started.
Just after the preview trailers concluded, a gas canister was thrown in front of the screen, resulting in an explosion within the auditorium.
A witness recounted: ‘We heard between 10 to 20 shots and small explosions occurring. Shortly thereafter, people began screaming.
‘Then the PA system announced that everyone had to evacuate. As soon as we exited, we saw people running and screaming.’
According to witnesses, the gunfire was so intense that bullets penetrated the walls into the adjacent screening room.
At 00:39 a.m. local time, the police received their first emergency call.
After frantic calls overwhelmed authorities, police, ambulances, and emergency personnel quickly converged on the scene, as reported by officials.
Cell phone footage recorded by a witness inside the cinema captured crowds fleeing and screaming, some stained with blood.
One witness mentioned seeing a police officer carrying a nine-year-old girl who had been shot in the back. ‘She wasn’t moving,’ the witness stated.
Numerous witnesses remarked about the presence of children at the screening, with the youngest reported victim being only three months old.Additionally, a six-year-old is receiving treatment as well.
Justin Jones, a local reporter, stated: ‘The attacker shot a baby at point blank range.’
An eyewitness, James Cameron, further indicated that the baby girl was struck in the back.
Local hospitals have been notified of a ‘mass casualty incident,’ and police officers are personally transporting individuals to hospitals instead of waiting for ambulances.
Hayden Miller, who was present in Theatre 16, recounted hearing several shots. Initially, he thought it was part of a louder movie next door, but then he noticed ‘people hunched over leaving theatre.’
The FBI has announced their collaboration with local police, stating that while the investigation is still in the early stages, there has been no identified link to terrorism thus far. The mall’s car park remains off-limits.
According to police spokeswoman Cassidee Carlson: ‘The scene remains very active, and we have limited information to release at this moment.’
Hospitals have reported injuries from shrapnel, and Denver University hospital mentioned treating three individuals for ‘chemical exposure.’
While ambulances hurried to hospitals, some individuals opted to walk to the nearest medical facility.
Brenda Stuart from 850 KOA Radio shared: ‘Police are transporting individuals to hospitals in their personal vehicles, not waiting for the ambulances. There were chaotic scenes as people frantically attempted to escape.’
Local reports suggest that the gunman carried out the shooting due to the new Batman movie being sold out. Police stated that the suspect had no prior criminal history aside from a traffic ticket.
Early this morning, President Obama released a statement to extend his condolences to the families and support to Aurora.
‘Michelle and I are shocked and heartbroken by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado,’ he expressed.
‘Federal and local law enforcement agencies are actively responding, and my Administration will do everything in our power to support the people of Aurora during this extraordinarily challenging time.’
‘We are dedicated to ensuring that those responsible are brought to justice, securing the safety of our communities, and providing care for the injured.’
‘In moments of darkness and adversity, we must come together as one American family.’
‘All of us need to keep the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they deal with the loss of family, friends, and neighbors. We must stand united with them in the difficult hours and days ahead.’
Mitt Romney commented: ‘Ann and I are profoundly saddened by the senseless violence that resulted in the loss of 15 lives in Colorado and injured many others.’
‘We are praying for the victims’ families and loved ones during this time of profound shock and immense sorrow. We trust that the responsible individual will be quickly brought to justice.’
Aurora is situated on the outskirts of Denver, approximately 10 miles southeast of the downtown area.
This incident marks the deadliest mass shooting in Colorado since the horrific Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999, where fifteen people lost their lives, including the shooters.
In the tragedy at Columbine, students Eric Harris, aged 18, and Dylan Klebold, aged 17, opened fire in the school located in the Denver suburb of Littleton, about 15 miles west of Aurora, killing 12 classmates and a teacher and injuring 26 others before taking their own lives in the school library.
by Sel Hurst
