What started out as a happy, exciting midnight showing of the new Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises, ended in a senseless mass murder by a crazedgunman. In Aurora, Colorado early Friday morning, James Holmes tossed tear gas into a movie theater where patrons were watching the new Batman flick, and then opened fire, killing 12 and wounding 38 others, according to authorities. The gunman himself was wearing a gas mask.
One of the injured was said to just be 3 months old.
Police later arrested the man in a rear parking lot of the theater. Holmes is believed to be a 24-year-old man from Aurora. Without much resistance from the suspect, police seized a rifle and a handgun from him, with another gun being found in the theater.
President Barack Obama released a statement saying he and First Lady Michelle Obama were “shocked and saddened” by the shooting and pledged the administration’s support for victims of the shooting. ”As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family,” it said.
You can read more details about the shooting, including thoughts and comments from eyewitnesses, at CNN.
It’s a sad time in history when we can’t even go to a movie theater or school without the possibility of something like this happening. I can just imagine how happy these people were to see the midnight showing of the movie, and to have it end like this is so terrible! It’s a heartbreaking way to start a Friday morning. Condolences and prayers to those who have lost loved ones or have loved ones injured in this random act of violence.
I’m so sorry for the victims and their families. Life can be so unfair.