DARK KNIGHT RISES Shooting Leaves 12 Dead, 50 Wounded

Peter Martin, Managing Editor

At a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado, a masked gunman entered the theater, threw one or two canisters of gas, and then opened fire, killing at least 12 people and wounding around 50 others.

The gunman, identified as James Holmes, 24, was apprehended in a parking lot behind the theater by police. He entered the theater via an emergency exit, wearing a mask and what appeared to be body armor. He had a rifle, a shotgun, and a handgun. He began shooting, moving his way from the front of the theater to the back, firing at people in their seats and also those who tried to flee.

Several of the wounded were reported to be critically injured. Holmes told police he had explosives in his nearby apartment. The apartment complex was evacuated this morning and authorities conducted a search. Aurora is a suburb of Denver, not far from Colombine, scene of the 1999 high school massacre.

Warner Bros. has cancelled the red-carpet premiere planned for Paris tonight, as well as media interviews scheduled with Christopher Nolan and members of the cast.

UPDATED 7/20 07:59 EST: Director Christopher Nolan has released a statement:

"Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises, I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community. I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me. Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families."

Around the Internet:

ikilledbambi

lol guys . i meant what if this is part of the movie too? you cant be sure in the age of reality shows

Guest

Still arrogantly unaware, hugely insensitive and not funny.

Guest

I agree arturo. I have been in shock all weekend and feel horribly sick every time I see the guy's face in my news feed. Also, this sickening feeling has carried over to everything related to TDKR, and I was really pumped to see the film. Now the imagery makes me feel ill.

To the bambi guy above, I know it's a free country or whatever but you really don't deserve to be a Twitch commenter.

Phil Mucci

Statements are great, but what would really help the victims of this tragedy is for Warner Brothers to cover the medical bills and funeral costs of the victims. They make huge amounts of money from their fan base, and it seems only right to give something back. Sadly, the politics at play might prevent this sort of proper response. Fear of such a response being an acknowledgement of "fault" is probably one of things preventing such a gesture. But no one in their right mind could possibly blame the film - which no one had even seen yet.

This kind of selfless gesture would be a great moment for the film industry to rise above such petty concerns as money and politics. The world has been drawn together by this tragedy. How hopeful and inspirational would it be for it to be drawn together even more by an act of sheer selfless generosity and compassion?

cuckoo

Well said, arturo.

Not well said, ikilledbambi.

RIP to the slain, recovery and therapy for the survivors, and hell for the cowardly murderer.

ikilledbambi

good advertising

mightyjoeyoung

"Warner Bros. has cancelled the red-carpet premiere planned for Paris tonight, as well as media interviews scheduled with Christopher Nolan and members of the cast."

The right thing to do....maybe later some offical statment from the cast & crew on Youtube or something. Very tragic, feel sorry for the victims.

arturo

This news made me sick to my stomach, why the fuck did this James Holmes prick not go to a derilict place and just blow his sad little head off, Instead off taking innocent lives..What a total scumbag of the highest order....Thoughts and prayers are with the victims family...

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