[UPDATES IN EXTENDED ARTICLE] 5:20AM EST: A gunman opened fire early Friday at a movie theater in a Denver suburb, killing 14 people and leaving at least 50 other injured, Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said.
According to witnesses, the shooter kicked in the emergency exit door, threw some sort of disorienting smoke bombs and started shooting.
The shooting occurred during a showing of the latest Batman movie “The Dark Knight Rises,” police said.
“Witnesses tell us he released some sort of canister. They heard a hissing sound and some gas emerged and the gunman opened fire,” Oates said at a news conference.
One suspect is in custody and there’s no evidence of any additional shooters, Oates said.
There was no immediate word of any motive.
Further details will be published when available.
UPDATE 8:00AM: Here is the full statement of President Obama as released by the White House:
Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my Administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time. We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people, and caring for those who have been wounded. As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors, and we must stand together with them in the challenging hours and days to come.
UPDATE 8:15AM EST: Police arrested the man believed to be the shooter in a rear parking lot of the theater.
“He did not resist. He did not put up a fight,” police said. Police seized a rifle and a handgun from the suspect, and another gun was found in the theater.
Hundreds of police officers descended on the theater, and the FBI has joined the investigation.
UPDATE 8:25AM: NBC quotes two federal officials as identifying the shooting suspect as James Holmes, who was born December 13, 1987.
(Sources: 9News / CNN / FOX / CBS)
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6 Responses
Without ch.v. belittling the tragedy of the loss of lives in Denver, but it will be revealing to compare the amount of press reports, expressions of sympathy and public outcry this shooting will receive over the next few days/weeks, with the one in Bulgaria two days ago.
Took the leftist media 4.2 nanoseconds to exploit this tragedy. Someone comes to kill you, you kill them first. Sure wish one of ‘us’ would’ve been in the theatre….
#1, firstly this event took place on home soil and victims were American. Secondly, when was the last time you cared about Russians being blown up by Chechnians or the killings that take place in Africa, or the thousands of people being killed in Syria. Lets face it, everyone is more concerned about their own, myself and yourself included, so stop being a hypocrite
#1 are you for real? First of all the Bulgarian tragedy did receive a lot of attention compared to some of the other tragedies happening daily around the world which are completely ignored. Second of all this is an American tragedy of course its gonna receive more attention as it should.
Not to disrespect the tragedy, but how do you “kick in” an emergency door? As per nationwide building codes, emergency doors swing outwards. Either this part of the story is dramatized, or the killer has superhuman strength.
@Curiosity (and also to not disrespect this awful tragedy) of course he had “super powers!” He was “the joker.” But in all seriousness, what happened is mamish garuah. There are unfortunately some very sick people in this world.