14 dead in shooting at Denver movie theater

[dulcemariamar]

edition.cnn.com/2012/07/20/us/colorado-theater-shooting/index.html?hpt=hp_t1

I hate life some days

(CNN) -- At least 14 people were killed and 50 were wounded when a gunman opened fire during an early Friday morning screening of the new Batman movie at an Aurora, Colorado, theater, Police Chief Dan Oates told reporters.

The man suspected of opening fire on the crowded theater was taken into custody, Oates said.

The heavily armed suspect, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was apprehended by police in a parking lot at the theater, Frank Fania, a police spokesman told CNN. The identity of the suspect has not immediately been released.

"We do no have evidence of a second gunman," Oates said.

Of the wounded, at least 20 were being treated at the University of Colorado Hospital, said spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery. All of the wounded suffered from gunshot wounds, which ranged from minor to critical, she said.

"They're arriving by police, by ambulance. Some are walking in," she said.

The shooting incident occurred during the showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" at the Century Aurora 16 theater, police and witnesses said.

"We saw people running around and screaming," a man, who was not identified, told KUSA.

He said there was confusion in the theater when the shooting began because many believed the sound of gunfire was coming from the movie next door.

Oates said that the suspect used some sort of "smoke device" before opening fire in the theater.

Witnesses, however, told KUSA that the gunman kicked in an emergency exit door and threw a smoke bomb into the darkened theater before opening fire.

[anna7602]

Holy crap.

[cricketwife]

Not that it makes this things better but they've updated the death toll to 12, not the original 14 that was reported. Among the injured - a 3 month old. It's so heartbreaking.

[crimsonandclover]

This is the kind of thing I just don't understand. At least they caught him alive, so he can be put on trial. I'll be very interested to know what his motive was. They were just saying on the national news last night that this is the first time there have ever been scalpers for movie tickets, that people had bought their tickets like 7 months in advance, and some were being sold on e-bay for upwards of $300. It honestly makes me wonder if the gunman was just ticked off that he didn't get a ticket for the premiere.

[Wanderista]

Completely senseless tragedy. My thoughts are with the victims and families. Also, I hope that this doesn't inspire copycats.

[Shreddingbetty]

The guy apparently just withdrew from the PhD program in neurosciences at University of Colorado and his apartment was/is booby trapped. So obviously a smart guy. Makes you wonder what the hell happened.

His mom was also quoted as saying: "you have the right guy". Very curious to find out what the heck that means....

I do think it is nuts to take small children to a midnight premier showing of a relatively violent movie. I probably wouldn't even take my younger kids to see it at all but a midnight premier what is most likely an adult event (possible drunks/people high/or just obnoxious partiers) is not something any kid should be at. Not that it is their fault that they got shot/hurt obviously but kids really should't be at something like that IMO.

And the parents of the 3 month old....they really couldn't wait to just see the movie during the day sometime? I have taken my 3 month old to a movie but it was a kids movie and a matinee. If you can't get a babysitter for a midnight showing than you should really re-evaluate your priorities.

Again, not that people should expect to get shot at such a thing and therefore not bring their kids but it just seems like kids really shouldn't be at something like that period. That's what matinees or early evening showings are for. Maybe I am just old and cranky and a mean parent...

[Cheesecake]

Jul 20, 2012 8:03:15 GMT -5 crimsonandclover said:

It honestly makes me wonder if the gunman was just ticked off that he didn't get a ticket for the premiere.

Actually, they reported that the theater added extra tickets (a 4th screen in that theater) available for pre-sale the day off. So that kinda seems unlikely. Also the whole boobytrapping his apartment doesn't really go along with that idea.

The whole situation scares me though, and I've been pretty shaken up over it all day. I have friends who live just blocks from the perp's apartment. I've been to that theater a number of times. One of my best friends (back in college) lived across from that theater, so we went there regularly. It used to be a kind of shady neighborhood, but in the last 5 years or so it actually changed into a pretty nice/almost trendy area.
Fortunately (as far as I've heard) no-one I know has been hurt, but it's scary nonetheless.

[americaninoz]

I agree sucradee - WTF were kids doing at a midnight shooting of a violent movie
but I also agree that regardless it is a horrible sad situation
I heard a guy get interviewed on the radio this morning who was in a neighboring theatre & he said the gunman went outside and sat in his car after the shooting, just waiting for them to arrest him
gosh it's sad - I wonder what the heck happened that made him so angry? sad sad sad