Suspect James Holmes, 24, has been identified as a Ph.D. student at the University of Colorado. He had been studying neuroscience but this past June he withdrew from his classes. He used an AR-15 assault-style rifle that can hold 30 rounds and shoots at incredible speed. Holmes killed at least 12 people and injured as many as 50. He also had two Glock pistols and a handgun.
According to The Los Angeles Times, “Holmes may be a disgruntled employee of the movie theater.”
The police have confirmed that explosives are in the apartment where James Holmes lives. They are unsure of what the flammable materials are made of but SWAT team members are on site investigating. James Holmes told cops that he was The Joker and had even dyed his hair to look like the character.
One witness of the shooting told ABC News, “You just smelled smoke and you just kept hearing it, you just heard bam bam bam, non-stop. The gunman never had to reload. Shots just kept going, kept going, kept going.”
Witnesses saw dead bodies covered in blood and those interviewed have confirmed that it was a terrifying and chaotic scene. The gunman set off smoke bombs then opened fire randomly on the crowd.
Holmes was caught by the police in the parking lot of the Aurora theater shortly after the shooting. He was wearing a bulletproof vest, riot helmet, gas mask and black clothes. More than 250 police have responded to the scene along with 150 FBI agents.
NYPD police commissioner Ray Kelly assured New Yorkers that there will security put in place for all NYC theaters showing “The Dark Knight Rises” just as a precaution. He wants New Yorkers to know that are being protected from potential copycat crimes.
The Pentagon told CNN that two Navy troops and two Air Force reservists were wounded in the shooting. President Barack Obama issued the following statement:
“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.”
