Mass shooting during 'Dark Knight' premiere

Movie theater shooting scene is only minutes from the Columbine High School shooting 13 years ago

At least 12 people have been killed and at least 59 more have been shot in an Aurora, Colorado movie theater, according to Colorado police agencies. One suspect, 24-year-old James E. Holmes, is in custody. Holmes is said to live in Aurora, but grew up in San Diego. Until just one month ago, he was a medical student (Ph.d. candidate in neuroscience) at University of Colorado.
According to eye witness' statements, Holmes entered the Aurora theater just after midnight where the new Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises was premiering. He was dressed in full military regalia, including a helmet, camouflaged fatigues, a gas mask, kevlar bullet-proof vests. He was armed with at least a rifle, perhaps a shotgun, a handgun, and smoke bombs.
One witness said that she saw Holmes enter the theater but was not particularly alarmed by his dress or demeanor because the movie itself was said to contain scenes of violence involving similarly dressed characters.
The suspect walked into the theater and shot once into the theater ceiling, then threw several smoke bombs throughout the crowd. People at first believed that what they were witnessing was the enactment of “special effects” associated with the film. He then lowered his weapon and began firing, randomly, at anyone and everyone within his sight lines.
At that point, as theater-goers realized that this was a real and not a staged event, chaos broke out with masses of people breaking for the exits. Those who came anywhere near Holmes was shot, including a three-month old baby. One witness said the shooter moved around and actually chased victims, shooting them at point-blank range.
The shooting took place at the Century Theater in Theater No. 9. Some bullets penetrated the walls of Theater No. 9 and wounded people in the adjoining Theater No. 8.
At this writing, police in Aurora are reporting that they are unable to search Holmes' apartment because it its "booby-trapped." The apartment complex and most of the surrounding neighborhood has been evacuated as police attempt to disarm any bombs or traps in the apartment and still preserve evidence.
Warner Bros. canceled its Paris premiere of "The Dark Knight Rises" on Friday following the deadly shooting at the screening of the Christopher Nolan-directed Batman movie. The studio issued a statement early Friday, saying: "Warner Bros. is deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones...”
The mass shooting occurred about 30 minutes from Columbine High School, where students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold rampaged through Columbine High School in April 1999, shooting and killing 13 people and wounding more than 20 others before turning their guns on themselves.
After abruptly cutting short his campaign schedule, President Obama spoke to a crowd of supporters in Florida about the tragedy in Colorado. He led a moment of silence and called for prayers for the victims' families. He said that he had spoken with both the mayor of Aurora and the governor of Colorado. He also indicated that he had been briefed by the Homeland Security Secretary, and has vowed to make available the federal government's resources for the affected families and law enforcement agencies.
Finally, in his appearance today, the president indicated that this is not a day for "politics" as usual. That may be true, especially so soon after another horrific mass shooting event. Yet, the issue of gun control will now be thrust forward in this political campaign as never before; and it will be front and center for the remainder of this political season -- straight through to November 6.
In the days, weeks, and months ahead, both candidates, both parties are now forced to address in concrete policy (as opposed to "political") terms what, if anything, they will do as president to end this apparently endless cycle of gun deaths in the United States.