Based on the latest reports, a 24-year-old gunman opened fire in an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater early this morning, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more. The alleged shooter is in custody, after being apprehended in the adjacent parking lot.
NBC's "Today" show had this segment earlier, but note that the reporting was based on initial estimates, and the list of victims has since gone up.
This appears to be among the deadliest American mass shootings in recent memory, following Jared Lee Loughner's attack in Tucson in January 2011, which left 6 dead and 13 injured, and the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre, in which Seung-Hui Cho killed 32 people and wounded 17 before committing suicide.
We do not yet have information on the alleged shooter, though he was reportedly driving with a Tennessee license plate, and was dressed in all black, possibly with goggles, a helmet, and a bullet-proof vest. It's worth noting that this was at a midnight screening of "Dark Knight Rises," where many moviegoers were wearing Batman-related costumes.
We do not yet know whether the gunman acted alone, though Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates told reporters there is no evidence of additional suspects, and the FBI said this morning there is no indication that the violence is connected to terrorism.
Homeland Security Adviser John Brennan notified President Obama of the incident at 5:26 a.m. ET this morning. The president issued an official statement, saying, "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: Moments after I published this, local officials put the death toll at 12, not 14. I've corrected the text and headline accordingly.
Second Update: The suspect's name is James Holmes. Reports this morning indicate his only previous run-in with the law was a 2011 traffic ticket.
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Just way to many innocent people gone in this senseless shooting.
It is getting you don't want to leave your home.
Everyone knew who Christina Taylor Green was for about 3 days.
She was forgotten.
This will be forgotten too.
When will we finally stand up to this tyranny by under 30 somethings pumped up on fear frustration and testosterone?
A close friend of mine was raped and murdered using a handgun. What is sad is not that lots of us had friends killed by guns, but that we are politically impotent about getting anything- anything done about it.
But they need their guns--like a drunk needs a beer.
No the logical course of action is to censor the tv they watch, the movies they go see, and the music they listen to, censor the internet they use to communicate and the places they're allowed to travel.
Regulate anything except for the deadly firearm.
With all the dough the NRA rolls in, I wonder if they actually pay trolls to post drivel.
I've seen this before: Is this "life imitating art"? I'd be interested in a deeper investigation of the motive. I'm assuming this was a feeble attempt at poetic justice. But, like I said, I've seen this before:
http://youtu.be/fnTckzsYgg0
This is nuts. I used to live out in Aurora when I was young, but my parents finally decided to bug out when the shooting at the nearby Chuck E. Cheese's happened in 1993.
Yeah, that the benefit of having the NRA ruling people lives pretending everyone needs to have guns... every NUT. Why do we need guns everywhere? Why? Are we not tired of all these innocent lives taken by a NUT? Where are you safe in this Country? Campuses No, Your home No, Military base No, HSchool No, theater NO, Park No... and yet the NRA is pushing for more deregulation on arms....
America, this is something we as a nation Must address. You don't feel concerned until you get hit or you lose, like I did, a family member just doing is job.... Same with wars, people like wars, but they don't send their kids or people to fight wars. They cheer for hit because other people die, not them. What can we tell these families and the world? That they are not secure even in a movie theater, a malll, a school campus or a Park in America?
The problem here isn't regulation or deregulation of arms. Take the example of the shooting in the internet cafe in Florida recently. a single citizen had a firearm and stopped the suspects. Did you see what the suspects said? "we thought it would be easy, we didn't think anyone would have a gun"
What if just one person in here had decided to exercise their 2nd Amendment right to carry a firearm. As soon as the shooting started, the suspect in this case could have been dealt with by a citizen who was armed. The police can't be everywhere in 10 seconds when they're needed, an armed and educated populace can.
The problem with the gun control you want and suggest is that it doesn't apply to the people who commit these crimes. If there's a sign that says "no guns on property" that just means its an easy picking area for criminals because they know there's no chance of them getting shot. Criminals don't obey the laws. Its easy to obtain a weapon outside legal means, and no laws or regulations will change that. remember - criminals don't follow the law.
Matt, he was wearing a bulletproof vest, remember? Are you advocating that people should be armed with armor penetrating bullets?
That's the standard argument, but it really doesn't hold up very well. There is the case in the Tucson shooting where the one armed citizen on the scene thought the person holding the gun after it had been taken from Loughner was the shooter.
The armed citizen had sense enough not to pull his gun and start blasting, but instead pushed the guy against the wall until it was pointed out the real killer was on the ground and had been taken down by those in the crowd. The armed citizen also said afterward that he hesitated to pull his weapon because he feared being taken for a second shooter.
We idolize guns way too much. You're correct when you talk about an armed and educated populace, but the key word there is educated. We don't do that anymore. Nowadays a weapon has become a symbol for virility and toughness and "I'm mad as hell and I"m not going to take it anymore!"
Guns are tools and they can be a very useful and handy tool to have. But like every other tool they must be used safely, and they should come with instructions.
Amazing, we need our guns to protect ourselves-and then the internet cafe incident pops up as proof.
Makes you think of those anti-American mobs shooting guns off into the air while chanting death to America.
If you feel you need a gun then by all means get the hell out of here.
Reason can simply be used as a tool of fear and frustration. Sure, Matt was insufficiently skilled to disguised the torture he was performing on logic- but it's not like you can blast this problem away with logic or facts. There is no limit to how much mental horsepower that can be directed in this way.
Really, the only difference between Limbaugh and Scalia is how clever they are at masking their dark emotions.
They say the guns are for hunting. But how many 100 round clip assault rifles does it take to kill a deer? You could kill it and turn it into hamburger meat all at the same time.
We eagerly await the political spin on this tragic event.
-Who wants to bet it will come from the Right?
("If only those theater goers had been allowed Concealed Carry, this wouldn't have happened!")- note: Colorado has Concealed Carry laws- remember Rep Giffords?
The Giffords shooting happened in Arizona.
And Arizona has no concealed carry laws. You can also carry a gun into a bar there.
Wondering if Rush Limbaugh's anti-Obama rant about Bain/Bane might be at the root of this? So sad - my heart go out to the victims and their families.
My first thought, too...sadly
Rush, I hope he didn't fall for your conspiracy theory..... preaching HATE will send some people right off the deep end.
Kimberly- I had the same thought and posted same as you. I am sure the local journalists have the question whether there is a connection.
BTW- the NRA scored the Senate vote on Disclosure rules as a vote against Gun Rights. They have an iron hand on our politics ever since the Kitty Dukakis question.
BTW- the old english meaning of slayer can be seen attached to words like Henbane, wolfsbane, dogbane, ratsbane and fleabane.
Seems Colorado has had more senseless killings there in the past few years. Prayers with them and for them.
When I heard this on the radio, my first thought was that one of the right wing religionist nut cases that are so prevalent in Colorado took offense at the Batman movies like they do with Harry Potter. It now appears that the guy is from Tennessee, which just adds to my suspicion given the concentration of religious nut cases there, too.
Wonder if maddow is going to twist this into a gun law NRA crazy republicans fault.
Next michael moron will make a movie and stuff his liberal pockets with $$$millions.
Just a horrible thing, and the blood thruster media will rake in the quid.
ho-le-cow: Wonder if republican's will say Holder was handing out AK-47's to psycopath's so they could do something like this.Then they can say Obama knew about it and did nothing so he could promote tougher gun law's. You Hemmoroid!
Thought's and prayer's to the people of this tragedy.
Name calling, a sign of uber inteligence
Guns don't kill people, people kill people.
When you out law guns, then only outlaws will have them.
Nerve Gas doesn't kill people, people kill people.
When you outlaw nerve gas, only outlaws will have nerve gas.
Mix Bleach & Ammonia and you get ammonia chloride gas, real nasty stuff.
So better get mayor bloomberg on the phone get those 2 things band.
Does anyone know if I can find victim's names anywhere? I have a friend who's uncle's family lives there and they went to the premiere. She hasn't heard from them since and they won't answer the phone. She's worried sick and I'd appreciate ANY help you could give me.
There is no list, but you can call the Aurora Police Dept - 303-627-3100. the news is reporting that you can call this number to find out where people are.
Finally !!! NOW maybe we can get long overdue legislation passed, as long as big gubment doesn't interfere in our personal lives, to make it mandatory that everyone entering a movie theater, play, concert, or any large gathering to be fully armed so that tragedies such as this will be prevented. Hey, if it's good enough for churches and bars, it's good enough for movies! Are ya with me Mitt!!!
Don't forget to push the snark button when posting. Some people don't catch on.
"morning there is no indication that the violence is connection to terrorism."
Um, sure would fit my definition of terror.
Is it "terror" only if it's connected to a "foreign" power (such as al Qaeda)? Seems to me that Timothy McVeigh's attack on the federal building in Oklahoma was a domestic terrorist attack. This one in Colorado, whether motivated by madness, murder, or malefaction based on religious or political belief, comes pretty close.
I am shocked, of course. Who wouldn't be. And pretty sad. I know a ton of folks in and around Denver. I don't know if any of them were 'there'. I'm sure I'll hear more later this morning.
In the meantime, I am not jumping to conclusions... way too early. Already been to other major websites and the "comments" are getting really panicky. Folks are even posting that they "know" it was Muslims. How sad.
Please park your emotions and speculations... We just don't know... yet
Making stuff up (trolls ?) isn't helping...
I'm sure Daryl Issa will hold a hearing. NOT.
My predictions going by past history:
Followed by ... nothing - no actions ... move onto another story.
Now here is a case in Colorado of another horrific shooting and the lack of concern of these people who do these things are allowed to have guns. But who is to blame for these terrible things? That is too clear these days on who is to blame. The NRA pushing that they have a right to bare arms at any time on the streets like it is the Wild West with no law enforcement. These religious extremists of hatred as they keep wanting to condemn people who are not like them. Those Republicans who proclaim the guns on the streets is a great thing and condemn anybody who disagrees with their lunatic ideas about the use of guns and where people should be allowed to carry a gun. The Rush Limbaugh’s, Glenn Beck’s, and all the other types of people that go a long with their Rhetoric of hatred. These types of people in America for too long have done nothing, but push their rhetoric of hatred, deceptions, and lies just so these pitiful people can claim they are something important. And too many times, it is these very people to claim to be the most Christian and want to push their falsehoods upon others either by lies or violence. These people in reality know nothing on what it is to be Christian and really are pure deceivers about Jesus. Jesus has never said anything about killing or hating your neighbor, except to be a person of peace, compassion, truth, love, and all the good things of our human nature. These people who are doing these things of hatred should indeed finally be brought to bare what they have done against others and start taking responsibility for the very things like these shootings and hatred that they have caused.
It is high time the NRA and all the people involved in causing this hatred be sued for liability.
These people want to lobby for these stupid laws they should be sued for the results of the hatred they caused.
The NRA is controlled by and supported by insanity and ALEC and the rest of the anti-government right wing libertarians. This is the type of country they want...no one helps one another, and just shoot someone by God.
People have been killing each other sense the dawn of time.
Guns have nothing to do with it.
@ho-lee-cow
Yes - people have been killing each other since the dawn of time.
However - Explain how someone armed with a cave-man club or a sword or a gun like Matt Dillon used could have killed and wounded so many people so quickly.
maphi, I see your quaint observation and go all in. Explain how someone can vote for the bat-crap crazy party whose power brokers think of wars as opportunities to make obscene profits and whose unhinged base scream for the nuking of Iran. This planet will self-destruct before certain humanoid's thirst for violence is satiated.
With our lovely climate of civility and the tone set by Fox and friends (yes Fox and friends, even you are sort of a scapego.. oh, what the hell, this time it's your fault Steve Douchey!) this is an indicator of what to expect. People are crazy, I feel so bad for the victims, it could have happened anywhere.
There are about 30,000 gun-related deaths in the United States per year. There are about 30,000 traffic-related deaths in the US per year.
That's about 80 per day in each category. Over half of the gun deaths are suicides; probably a good percentage of traffic deaths as well (or at least self-inflicted/at-fault).
My point is not that these deaths in Aurora are not a tragedy. My point is that people die every day in every state. Sometimes in groups, usually alone.
Why are these 12 deaths more tragic (to anyone but those who knew the victims) than any other deaths last night?
It's not that these deaths are more tragic than everyone elses but that the victims lives were cut short by some mad man who came into a movie theater where people go to escape reality.
Because these 12 deaths and other injuries were planned and acted upon with malicious intent. How often is that done in a car accident statistically? Don't worry, we'll have the Theatrical Security Agency (TSA) before anybody does anything about gun control. Just another bloody day! Watch your leaders react ladies and gentlemen, watch the NRA and watch your average Christians react too.. These are the people who have been at the helm for the last 30 years!
I lean democratic on many points, but not gun control. Some of the comments on here are laughable. Gun control does not stop fringe crazies like this. Do I think anyone needs a stockpile 2 dozen guns or a few thousand rounds of amo, not really. There are many details i disagree with the NRA on, including the disclose act, but i support their general mission. I wish more moderate democrats would speak out when there is a mass shooting so that dems didn't seem so ridiculous wanting to ban guns, etc.
slasher what is it that having a gun makes you feel like you are a man? Is it these men need guns, because they never got over being afraid of the boogey man under the bed? Isn't it time these people grow up and realize you don't need a gun on the streets. And you don't need guns that shoot endless rounds of bullets. It can be reasonable that guns can be used for hunting, but come on if you are meant to die over something that gun is just not going to save you.
what the hell! Rush, I hope and pray that he did not fall for your so called conspiracy theory. Life is to short to be spewing all this HATE. People are hanging on by a thin string, and we as a people need to be encouraging one another and pulling together to make this GREAT COUNTRY WE LIVE IN A PLACE OF BROTHERHOOD NOT THE UNITED STATES OF FEAR
AM I MY BROTHERS KEEPER? HELL YEAH!!
You're a dumb-ass.
Guns don't kill people, people kill people. It takes a person behind a firearm to harm someone. If you want our firearms to be further controlled or taken away, you are naive. The "bad people" will still find ways to get firearms, you'd only be disarming the innocent citizens.
It's getting to the point that where ever we go we have to metal detectors.
I agree with Zoey^^. GUNS DO NOT KILL PEOPLE! PEOPLE KILL PEOPLE! Just because some one has a gun does not mean they are going to go around shooting every one. I know personally that if i was in a situation where i needed to protect my family and my 8 month old daughter i would want to have something i know i could easily use to protect us.
Carolyn Page - Please explain how a gun would easily protect your 8 month old child from stray automatic weapon bullets flying all over the theater? PEOPLE KILL A LOT OF PEOPLE FAST WITH AUTOMATIC WEAPONS!!!
You got columbine, heeymeyer in the killdozer in granby, and aurora. I think its the lack of oxygen to the brain for these Colorado folks that make them do crazy things due to the higher altitude.