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Update on Deadliest Colo. Shooting Since Columbine

by KREX News Room
by Kristina Kuestner

Story Created: Jul 20, 2012 at 7:42 PM MDT

Story Updated: Jul 21, 2012 at 10:08 AM MDT

AURORA, Colo.- At least 12 people are dead and dozens more injured after a man opened fire at a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora.

The incident is the deadliest Colorado shooting since Columbine.

Shortly after 12:30 Friday morning, 911 calls began pouring in after a heavily armed gunman threw smoke grenades and opened fire at people watching the latest Batman movie.

By the time it was over, 12 people were dead and 58 others were wounded.

The suspect has been identified as 24-year-old James Holmes.

The University of Colorado confirms that Holmes was dropping out of a graduate program in neuroscience.

Aurora police say Holmes was dressed head to toe in body armor and wore a gas mask.

Speaking at a press conference Friday afternoon, Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates explained what type of weapons were used during the shooting.

"Holmes was apprehended outside in his Hyundai with three weapons in the car and one was left at the theater. The weapons are an AR-15 assault rifle, a Remington 870 shotgun, 12 gauge shotgun and a 40 caliber Glock handgun. Authorities believe those three weapons were used at the scene," Oates explained.

According to a witness, the scene was extremely chaotic. "People were running away. I hit the ground so I wouldn't be hit. I heard the sound of metal canisters clinking around and I saw plumes of smoke," one witness explained.

According to Aurora police, Holmes did not put up a fight when he was arrested in the parking lot near his car, where explosives were found.

So far, authorities are refusing to comment on reports that Holmes had his hair painted red and called himself "The Joker."

Police say that Holmes' apartment is booby trapped with various chemical and incendiary devices.

Authorities are not releasing a motive for the shooting, but they say that Holmes does not have terrorist ties and acted alone.

Holmes is due in court Monday morning.

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Matthew Psi said on Saturday, Jul 21 at 8:18 PM

PLEASE READ. I believe in firm backgroung checks but I also believe in the right to carry a firearm because if somebody had a legal handgun they could have saved many lives. That evil person would have killed those people with a gun or a bomb because that is what he wanted to do that day. Even the biggest loser Mike Bloomberg's bodyguards have firearms which is ok for his life to be protect but not ours.

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