DERANGED GUNMAN SHOOTS 71 IN COLD BLOOD, KILLS 12 DURING ‘DARK KNIGHT RISES’ SCREENING IN COLORADO

A horrific shooting at a Colorado movie theater resulted in at least 12 deathsand 59 people wounded, many critically. During the midnight premiere of the new Batman movie, “The Dark Knight Rises,” a lone gunman walked into the theater in Aurora, Colorado, lobbed a gas explosive, and opened fire on the crowd. Police have the 24-year-old suspect in custody. His motives are currently unknown, though witnesses say he was dressed for combat. According to witnesses, the alleged “Dark Knight” shooter, identified as James Eagan Holmes of Aurora, reportedly entered the movie theater about 10 minutes into the movie through an emergency exit near the front. He was dressed in black, wearing body armor, and had on a gas mask. He was also allegedly armed with a rifle, handgun, and some type of explosive.

As soon as Holmes entered the theater, he threw the gas explosive that almost instantly filled the packed theater with smoke. He then proceeded to walk up the aisles of the theater, allegedly shooting people indiscriminately. Survivors of the initial gunfire huddled on the ground and tried to remain silent. Others rushed for the main exit where Holmes allegedly picked them off. The entire shooting lasted about 10 to 15 minutes until police arrived. Police found Holmes in the parking lot and he did not resist arrest.Holmes did tell police that he had more explosives in his north Aurora apartment building, which led to that building being evacuated. Holmes, a graduate student from San Diego was in the process of withdrawing from the neuroscience program at University of Colorado-Denver medical school.

Based on witness and police accounts, Holmes could eventually face a wide range of charges, including possibly murder, attempted murder, gun law violations such as illegal discharge of a firearm, and even setting unattended traps in his apartment. He could also face civil liability in lawsuits by victims and survivors.

As police continue their investigation into the “Dark Knight” shooting in Colorado, hopefully some type of motive is revealed. In the meantime, it’s good news that the youngest victim of the shooting, a 4-month-old baby, has already been treated and released.