The death toll has risen since reports first surfaced about the shooting at a Dark Knight Rises movie screening on Colorado. Police say at least 12 people were killed by a shooter, who police believe to be 24-year-old local James Holmes. He was arrested at the scene after cops found him near a car at the back of the theater.
A frightening 911 call gives a hint of the chaos that erupted after the shooter entered the theater with a rifle, handgun, and explosives and began his killing spree.
Pentagon officials say members of the U.S. military are among the dead and 50 people injured, as well as a number of children. So far, he doesn't appear to have terrorist ties and his motive is still unknown. But investigators are searching his home and looking for explosives and other devices that may be there. They have also learned more details about the alleged gunman's background.
Profiles of Holmes are steadily emerging. According to the Associated Press, he dropped out of the University of Colorado Medical School in Denver last month.
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The Denver Post reported that in an apartment application filled out last year, he described himself as student who was "easy going" while other tenants called him a "recluse." One neighbor said Holmes kept to himself and wouldn't acknowledge people when they passed in the hall and said hello. "No one knew him. No one," he said.
The crime in this tiny town has shaken the nation, prompting both President Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to break from campaigning to comment on the tragedy.
Hear the frightening 911 call here:
Listen to President Obama's comments:
What do you think motivated this shooter?
Image via University of Colorado Denver
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Comments 31
Just remember those slain in Denver Theater could have been reduced or avoided if only someone else other than the crazy person shooting innocent people would have been packing a gun. All this incident is going to do is get the gun hating pussies crawling out of the wood work to use this incident as justification to ban weapons. I wouldn't be surprised if our dysfunctional Congress or even a few State Legislators try to resurrect the "Assault Weapons" ban like they did back in 94'. Banning guns don't work it only assures that more tragedies like this are going to happen in the future. It's sad we have a second amendment, most States allow open and conceal carry for guns and yet we don't see hardly any of the law abiding populace use those rights. If only the innocent knew how strong they really are if they would just stand up and fight back against murdering assholes
p>That isn't his booking photo, my understanding is thats his identification photo. It would seem he obviously wanted the fame. Had he wanted to die along with those he killed in the theater, he would have just kept shooting until he was taken down. Also, why did he tell police that his apartment was boobytrapped? Had he wanted total destruction he would have allowed them to find it themselves, in a tragic manner. No, this is dripping with evidence that he was wanting the fame. As a fan of the Batman series myself, this reminded me of the following quote from the previous movie-</p>
<p><em>The Joker</em><span>: [</span><em>Joker hands Two-Face a gun and points it at himself</em><span>] Introduce a little anarchy. Upset the established order, and everything becomes chaos. I'm an agent of chaos. Oh and you know the thing about chaos, it's fair. </span></p>
<p><span>-- The shooter, Holmes was upset that he could not get a job with a masters degree. And for reasons unbeknowst yet to us, he dropped out of school last month so he was obviously on a downward spiral. The question as to what set him off will be one that everyone will be asking. </span></p>
p><span>The crime was indiscriminate. It was dark. He had a mask. He sprayed the room with bullets. Its doubtful he piced and chose who would die. Rather, he just focused on one thing. Killing. It's terrifying. Again- I'll refer to a quote from the film. I'm not being morbid here, rather, trying to make sense of it all. </span></p>
<p><em>The Joker</em><span>: [</span><em>speaking to Two-Face</em><span>] Do I really look like a guy with a plan? You know what I am? I'm a dog chasing cars. I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it! You know, I just, do things. The mob has plans, the cops have plans, Gordon's got plans. You know, they're schemers. Schemers trying to control their worlds. I'm not a schemer. I try to show the schemers how, pathetic, their attempts to control things really are. So, when I say, ah, come here, when I say that you and your girlfriend was nothing personal, you know that I'm telling the truth. </span></p>
It was no accident he chose The Dark Knight Rises to pursue such a heinous crime. He did it with intention.
Its sad. And Scary. It scares me. Prayers for those who lost their lives and those struggling for theirs. I pray especially hard for the 3 month old baby who is fighting for her life as well :*(
<p>(continuted)...</p>
Grr. sorry, it keeps saying my comment is too long. Guess i wrote a book :-/