Gunman Kills 12, Injures 38 at Dark Knight Rises Screening
At least 12 people are dead and 38 were injured after a man opened fire on a crowd at a The Dark Knight Rises screening in Colorado early Friday morning, local police confirm. According to various reports, at approximately 12:30 a.m. a man in a gas mask stood in front of a crowd during a screening of the film at a mall in Aurora and went on a shooting rampage. He allegedly set off a smoke bomb before opening fire.
Ten were reportedly killed at the scene, and the rest died at local hospitals, including a 6-year-old. The suspect, who police did not immediately identify but is believed to be in his early 20s, was reportedly wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a rifle, handgun and knife. Another gun was purportedly recovered at the theater.
Dark Knight Rises in The News for all the wrong reasons
Eyewitnesses told CNN that the gunman reportedly kicked open an exit door and flung a smoke bomb into the theater before making his way through the crowd and randomly opening fire. A spokeswoman for a local hospital confirmed that all of the victims suffered gunshot wounds ranging from minor to critical.
Here is a video footage taken..
The FBI has now joined in the investigation.
In a statement, Warner Bros., the studio behind the movie, said: “Warner Bros. is deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time.”
Christopher Nolan also expresses his regret: “Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of “The Dark Knight Rises”, I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community. I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime. The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me. Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families.”
(Source)
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