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Mass Shooting At Aurora, Colorado Midnight Showing Of ‘Batman Dark Knight Rises’ – 14 Estimated Deaths, Including A Baby Shot At Point Blank Range [video]

By Tara Dodrill
Published on: 21:27 PST, Jul 19, 2012

3:09 p.m. UPDATE – Fox News reports James Holmes did purchase a ticket to see “Batman Dark Knight Rises” for theater 9. Holmes allegedly entered the theater with the crowd and sat in the front row until he “pretended” to get a phone call and casually walked out the side exit. James Holmes allegedly stored his weapons outside and upon re-entering the Century 16 theater Holmes allegedly opened fire on the crowd. Holmes has “merit based” scholarship while attending college in San Diego and remained an honor student while completing his undergraduate work. The reason he was in the process of withdrawing from the University of Colorado remains unknown. Fox News also broadcast video of James Holmes’ father landing at the Denver airport. He had no comment but was shown slightly shaking his head when posed questions about the Aurora shooting.

2:40 p.m. UPDATE- The father of the 6-year-old daughter who died earlier today from the gunshot wound she sutained during the attack by alleged shooter James Holmes, spoke with KDVR about his daughter. The man is also worried about his wife who was shot in the chest at the Aurora movie theater shooting. The man was shown only from the back during the interview and struggled through his grief to speak with the local journalist. The man was naturally extremely upset after learning his wife and daughter had been shot. His inital agitation caused concern for hospital security officers who have not yet allowed him back inside to check on his wife’s condition. The grieving father is also angry an anxous for justice for his daughter and the other mass shooting victims.

2:30 p.m. UPDATE – Although the Aurora police department is still not commenting about an alleged connection between James Holmes and “The Joker,” a federal source now confirms Holmes had painted his hair red in an attempt believed to resemble “The Joker” character in the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” series, according to Fox News.


1:49 UPDATE – The Aurora police chief reported 71 people were shot inside the movie theater. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper just held a press conference to address the mass shooting tragedy at the Century 16 movie theater in Aurora. The governor shared his remorse of the tragic loss of life and vowed to do everything within his power to keep the state safe and make sure the victim’s receive justice. Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner followed the governor to the podium, shared his sympathies on the “senseless tragedy” and encouraged parents to talk to their children and teens and to reassure them the mass shooting at the movie theater was an isolated incidence.

12:35 p.m. UPDATE – Theater shooting suspect James Holmes is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

11:23 UPDATE – San Diego Police Lt. Andrea Brown hosted a brief press conference in front of the home of the parents of the alleged Aurora shooter James Holmes. Lt. Brown stated Holmes’ parents offered their deepest sympathy to the theater shooting victims and their families and asked the media to respect their privacy during this time. Lt. Brown also stated the Holmes’ are cooperating with law enforcement officers both in San Diego and Aurora.


10:53 a.m. UPDATE – A police press conference which just concluded reports the apartment of theater shooting suspect James Holmes is “booby-trapped” in an apparently sophisticated manner. The immediate area has been evacuated. Law enforcement officers predict it may take hours to days to completely dismantle or detonate the explosive devices inside.

10:40 a.m. UPDATE – The alleged Aurora theater shooter James Holmes did not have a permit for any of the weapons he used when randomly shooting dozens of people inside “Theater 9,” KDVR Denver reports. Holmes’ parents are en route from San Diego, where the alleged shooter also lived until recently. Holmes does not have any connection to the military or law enforcement as earlier speculated. Fox News also notes Holmes did not resist when encountered by police officers after leaving the Century 16 theater.

10:09 a.m. UPDATE – Fox News reports a 6-year-old girl injured in the Aurora theater shooting has died, noting updates given to a local affiliate by the girl’s father. The alleged mass shooting suspect James Holmes does not have any criminal record, other than a speeding ticket several years ago. Police officers searching the suspect’s apartment reportedly found “buckets of ammunition.” No motive is yet known in the Aurora mass shooting, Holmes is not said to be cooperating with law enforcement officers.

9:23 a.m. UPDATE – Aurora theater shooting 911 tapes released to news media – police scanner audio tapes posted below.

8:39 a.m. UPDATE – The movie theater mass shooting suspect has been identified as James Holmes, according to ABC News.

7:21 a.m. UPDATE – The Aurora movie theater mass shooting suspect entered through the theater’s exit door, tossed a canister of tear gas, shot at the ceiling and then fired randomly into the crowd, Fox News reports. The movie theater massacre suspect walked from an area near the corner of the screen to the main entrance to the room and back several times while reloading his weapons, witnesses told Fox News. The suspect walked into the lobby and shot those still inside attempting to escape. The Century 16 shooting suspect was allegedly dressed in a “SWAT” or military manner.

5:45 a.m. UPDATE – Aurora police officers now believe only one shooter was inside the Century 16 movie theater. The latest information about the mass shooting notes the shooter used both a handgun and a shot-gun. The alleged Aurora movie theater mass shooting suspect was captured by police already on hand for crowd control for the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” midnight premiere.

The alleged shooter is from Aurora and told police officers he has explosive devices in both his car and his apartment. Aurora police officers and the FBI obtained a search warrant and are currently searching the alleged shooter’s home. The mass shooting suspect is a 24-year-old white male, according to Fox News on-scene reporters. The shooter is now believed to have hidden a third gun in the movie theater in advance.

A mass shooting occurred at the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” midnight showing at in Aurora, Colorado. Early reports about the mass shooting indicate at least 14 people are dead and possibly 50 injured. A breaking news alert on Fox News with an on-scene correspondent Justin Joseph from KDVR News notes two men stood up just minutes after the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” began at the Century 16 Theaters and opened fire with “long guns” on the crowd. Moviegoers were unsure what was happening right before the shooting started – many patrons were dressed in “Batman” and movie villain costumes to celebrate the premiere of the “Dark Knight Rises.” The two male shooters were allegedly dressed in body armor and masks and used tear gas before firing on the crowded movie theater. At least 20 moviegoers at the “Batman” midnight premiere were transported to Aurora, CO. area hospitals. Aurora is a large Denver suburb approximately 30 miles from Columbine High School – a fact witnesses say brought back memories of the horrific school shooting. Police officers captured the suspected shooter almost immediately after the mass shooting in the movie theater. Fox News reports that children and one baby were among the victims at the mass shooting inside the Aurora movie theater.

Eye witnesses who survived the shooting told the local Fox News affiliate a baby was shot at point-blank range. Swedish Medical Center representative Nicole Williams told the Wall Street Journal two people injured in the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” shooting arrived at the hospital in critical condition.

There are allegedly at least 10 dead bodies inside the theater, most of them children and teenagers, according to preliminary reports from the mass shooting crime scene. The Associated Press reports the shooters fired indiscriminately around the Aurora theater as patrons tried to run for the exit. Police officers found what they believe are the suspect’s vehicles in the parking lot with at least two “devices” inside. The Fox News correspondent notes some witnesses in the area of the cars report at least one “device went off” but no one was harmed, WRIC News notes.

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