James Holmes may attempt an insanity plea in his trial for a Colorado theater shooting that left 12 people dead and 58 wounded, his defense team hinted.

The decision on how to proceed with James Holmes’ defense has not been made yet. His attorneys filed papers in court on Friday that said they can’t make a decision on their defense until a judge roles on a motion they filed challenging the constitutionality of the state’s insanity defense law, The Associated Press reported.

The attorneys have argued that the law is not fair to defendants as it requires they turn over potentially incriminating information, which others who plead not guilty are not required to do. Legal experts believe that attorneys for James Holmes may be trying to keep potentially incriminating journals out of the hands of prosecutors.

The notebook had previously been off-limits to prosecutors because it was part of a doctor-patient relationship between Holmes and his psychiatrist.

James Holmes‘ attorney have said that he is mentally ill and was seeking treatment from a psychiatrist at the University of Colorado, Denver.

Holmes faces 166 felony counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder in the shootings at a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises.

Prosecutors still haven’t said exactly how they will proceed either, NBC News noted. They could still seek the death penalty, though no one has been put to death in Colorado since 1978.

If James Holmes is found not guilty by reason of his insanity defense, he would be sent to a psychiatric facility and release if it is deemed he has recovered, though experts say that is unlikely he would ever be set free.

James Holmes: Aurora Theater Shooting Suspect May Pursue Insanity Defense is a post from: The Inquisitr

Aurora movie theater shooter James Holmes’ getaway plan has been revealed, and sources close to the case — stemming from a summer massacre in which the former student shot and killed 12 moviegoers in Colorado — say that a subsequent search of his car indicated plans to flee the scene alive.

According to Yahoo!, Holmes’ getaway plan wasn’t entirely apparent from the search of his vehicle, but investigators indicate that items found within the car suggest the intent to abscond from the scene of the killings — a plan that may only have been interrupted by arresting officers.

What Holmes’ getaway plan may have been exactly is not clear, but in the car, cops found his iPhone, “several” backpacks, a gun, ammunition, tear gas, and even devices to puncture tires.

Former FBI profiler Mary Ellen O’Toole is not working on the Aurora case, but she did say she believed the items may be indicative of Holmes’ getaway plan. The experienced criminal analyst suggested that the suspect was “thinking that he was going to get away from that movie theater.”

Aurora Sgt. Gerald Jonsgaard told a court that he had sighted Holmes in his crosshairs, and that the suspected shooter seemed nearly surprised by the fact he had been apprehended — throwing his arms up and surrendering instantly in a way the sergeant described as theatrical:

“It was instant and exaggerated … It was like he was surprised or something like that.”

O’Toole also said that Holmes’ getaway plan is part of a larger plot masterminded by the suspected shooter, and that only Holmes knows the motive behind the decisions he made that day. Referring to the failed attempt to bomb his apartment building, she says:

“We would have seen a different finale had his apartment building exploded … The only one who knows what he was going to do at the end would be James Holmes. But with the planning that was involved in this case, I think he considered a number of options.”

Ultimately, Holmes getaway plan was foiled — and prosecutors are said to be planning to charge the suspect with 166 felony counts, including murder and attempted murder.

James Holmes’ Getaway Plan Revealed, Shooter’s Car Was Packed To Flee is a post from: The Inquisitr

It takes all sorts to make the world go round and apparently even alleged mass murderer James Holmes has his admirers. Thirty year old resident of Aurora, Colorado, Misty Benjamin, takes true love to a new level, declaring her undying devotion for Holmes, dyeing her hair orange to match his hair color on the night of his alleged shooting rampage and even appearing in criminal court to proclaim her love and lend her support.

For those of you who may not be aware of the details of the rampage that left 12 people dead and injured 58 others, it took place in Aurora, Colorado, the same town where Misty Benjamin lives, and as you might imagine, she has managed to infuriate many local residents with her antics.

Some of Misty Benjamin’s comments are certainly seen as rubbing salt in the wound by the good citizens of Aurora and by anyone familiar with the case:

“Tons of people are hating me because I’m deciding to be compassionate and show compassion for a person that committed a horrendous crime. When I get upset, I look at his picture and I calm down. Holmes isn’t a bad guy, but what he did was bad.”

The worship and admiration of James Holmes first came to public attention in July of 2012 with the disturbing news of Facebook pages devoted to Holmes and chat rooms for his supporters to discuss details of the case. Calling themselves Holmies, they posted cheerful YouTube videos drinking Slurpees, as a tribute to a one time ambition of Holmes to own a Slurpee machine of his own. Holmies dress in plaid to emulate the plaid jacket the suspect was reported to be wearing when he was arrested and they write to him constantly.

Apparently, Holmes is such a popular recipient of letters from admirers that the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s office was forced to post a set of rules and regulations on the Internet for those who wished to communicate with the prisoner. Cards and letters continue to pour in, loaded with photos of the senders, drawings, and marriage proposals.

A true Holmie, Misty Benjamin has given her heart to James Holmes. She attends his hearings when they are open to the public, carries his photograph in her wallet and communicates regularly with other Holmies on Facebook.

‘When they showed photos of him, everything I saw were cries for help. When I first saw him, I was physically attracted to him. I thought, oh crap. I think he is cute.”

Of course, the phenomenon of killers and alleged killers with legions of fans and lovers is nothing new. Charles Manson received fan letters for decades and John Wayne Gacy’s demented clown paintings were in high demand for years until he was finally executed in 1994. Several well known, convicted killers married people they met after they were sentenced to prison for life or sent to death row. Although Misty Benjamin’s love for James Holmes may be shocking and offensive to many, it is hardly exciting or original.

One youngster described his life as an admirer of James Holmes, “Wearing plaid, sippin’ on a slurpee. Just a typical Holmie.” Is our younger generation so devoid of purpose that they seriously worship killers? There is nothing to be admired about mass murderers. They are bringers of pain and death. Instead, emulate the builders who help to create a better world for us all.

Misty Benjamin, Fan Of James Holmes, ‘Physically Attracted’ To Alleged Mass Murderer is a post from: The Inquisitr

On Friday, July 20, 2012, a mass shooting occurred inside of a Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado during a midnight screening of the film The Dark Knight Rises. That very same theater is about to be re-opened, and, in order to mark the occasion, Cinemark CEO Tim Warner has offered the victims’ families to the special event.

According to NBC News, going to the re-opening of the same theater that their loved ones died in is the last thing the victims’ families want to do. In fact, they are calling it a “disgusting offer” and a “thinly veiled publicity ploy,” and some of the families are outraged that the theater chain’s owner would invite them to such an event.

According to an invitation letter, which was sent to Aurora Mayor Steve hogan, Warner offered free tickets to an event on January 17 for the reconfigured Aurora Century Theater. Warner has also defended himself, saying that the Aurora residents requested that the theater be restored.

Warner has even made arrangements for the families’ to visit before the reopening on January 15 and 16.

However, Warner didn’t expect that the families would react as they did.

In response to the invitation, a group of the invited families responded with a letter of their own.

“This disgusting offer that you’d ‘like to invite you and a guest to a special evening of remembrance on Thursday, January 17 at 5 PM’ followed by the showing of a movie and then telling us to be sure ‘to reserve our tickets’ is wholly offensive to the memory of our loved ones.”

Sandy Phillips, mother of Jessica Ghaw, told the Denver Post:

“None of us received a letter of condolence or any other communication from Cinemark, but now they want us to step foot in that theater.”

The letter continued:

“We, the families, recognize your thinly veiled publicity ploy for what it is: A great opportunity for you to distance yourselves and divert public scrutiny from your culpability in this massacre.

According to the Washington Times, in the families’ response letter, the families faulted the company for sending the invitation two days after Christmas. By doing so, Cinemark made “what is a very difficult holiday season that much more difficult. Timing is everything, and yours is awful.”

The response letter also said:

“After reading our response to your ridiculously offensive invitation, you now know why we will not be attending your reopening celebration and will be using every social media tool at our disposal to ask the other victims to ask their friends and family to honor us by boycotting the killing field of our children.”

As of now, Cinemark had no immediate comment on the letter.

Families Of The ‘Dark Knight’ Massacre Victims Boycott the Theater’s Re-Opening is a post from: The Inquisitr

Bolivar, MO – A Missouri showing of Twilight: Breaking Dawn 2 almost turned into another Aurora, Colorado this week.

A southwest Missouri man accused of planning to kill theatergoers during the new Twilight film was charged on Friday, reports MSN. His mother contacted the police, telling them that she was worried her son had bought weapons similar to those used at the tragic Aurora shooting this summer.

The almost-shooter, 20-year-old Blaec Lammers, is charged with first-degree assault, making a terroristic threat, and armed criminal action.

“Thankfully we had a responsible family member or we might have had a different outcome,” Bolivar Police Chief Steve Hamilton told The Associated Press. Lammers reportedly has a history of mental illness and has been “off of his medication.”

Lammers mother said that her son’s recent purchase of two assault rifles and hundreds of bullets reminded her of the Aurora shooting spree at the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. She called police and told them that her son “may have intentions of shooting people at the movie.”

When he was arrested, Lammers confessed that he had purchased tickets for the Sunday showing of the Twilight film and had planned to shoot people in the theater.

According to the probable cause statement, Lammers had also planned to “just start shooting people at random” at nearby Walmart store and “just break the glass where the ammunition is being stored and get some more and keep shooting until police arrived,” investigators wrote.

When asked about recent shootings in the news, Lammers said “he had a lot in common with the people that have been involved in those shootings.” Investigators also wrote that Lammers “was quiet, kind of a loner, had recently purchased firearms and didn’t tell anybody about it, and had homicidal thoughts.”

A friend of Lammers called him “one of the sweetest guys I had ever met” but “very emotional,” noting he would stop talking to her for long periods of time. “He was never actually happy,” she told the AP in a phone interview. “I think he had depression or something.”

We at IQ are certainly thankful that tragedy and bloodshed were avoided. It’s a thankful kind of season, and we should take serious note of the fact that the planned Twilight shooting could have gone another way.

Man Plotted ‘Breaking Dawn 2′ Premiere Shooting, Just Like Aurora is a post from: The Inquisitr

After the Aurora, Colorado tragedy, the period crime drama Gangster Squad almost went back to formula, requiring a rewrite, re-shoots, and a delayed release to remove plot elements that rang a bit to close to the theater shooting that left 12 dead and another 58 injured.

Gangster Squad is back with a new trailer that ditches the eerie Aurora associations, looking all-the-more promising with more crazy-stupid action and gun-play and extended scenes between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.

You may recall a scene from the old Gangster Squad trailer in which a cadre of trench-coated, fedora-wearing wise-guys stand behind a film screen and shoot Thompson sub-machine guns at the audience while a film plays. This scene inadvertently walked into controversy when alleged shooter James Holmes did much the same thing at the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado, causing incalculable human loss and heartbreak.

The Gangster Squad trailer was immediately pulled, the premiere was pushed back, and the entire original ending sequence had to be re-shot. The film’s producers did the right thing there, and the new ending is somewhat teased in the new trailer.

But we won’t spoil anything for you. Check out the new Gangster Squad trailer below and let us know if you like it better than the first one. Despite the film’s uncomfortable former ties to the Aurora massacre, are you still willing to go see it? If so, Gangster Squad hits theaters on January 11, 2013.

The new Gangster Squad trailer:

‘Gangster Squad’ Gets A New Aurora-Free Trailer [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

The year 2012 has played host to numerous highly-publicized acts of violence. Though the number of human lives lost varies from account to account, a common thread of cruelty, desperation, and blatant disregard for human life can be found among all of this year’s most violent acts thus far.

Note: The Inquisitr is not making an arbitrary judgment call on the value, indeed the price, of individual human lives in this post. What follows are acts of violence perpetrated within the borders of the United States, or specifically regarding US interests. We understand that many human lives have been lost worldwide in 2012. The following list also does not reflect a ranking based on severity – rather, incidents have been placed in chronological order. The timeline is based on acts of violence ranging in extremity, and items placed on the list have been weighed as much by public reaction and perception as the senseless violence that they all share.

The shooting of Trayvon Martin(2/26/2012) – The Sanford, Florida shooting of Trayvon Martin has been so highly publicized that the names of victim Trayvon Martin and his accused shooter, George Zimmerman, have become household. Zimmerman, a 28-year-old said that he saw 17-year-old Martin acting suspiciously, and called the police to report him. He ultimately pulled his car over to confront the teen, and after a violent altercation (the details of which are still unknown) Zimmerman shot Martin at point-blank range in the chest, killing him. Zimmerman has since claimed self-defense, a claim possibly corroborated by injuries he had apparently suffered the night of the incident. Supporters of Martin and his family have turned out for protests and vigils, and several claims made by Zimmerman have been challenged in subsequent court proceedings. Some reports have claimed that Trayvon Martin had a troubled past, and had been in some trouble at school. It is still largely unknown what exactly happened, other than the death of Martin at the hands of Zimmerman, but the former’s death has spawned months of heated public debate, including critical discussions regarding “Stand Your Ground” laws in place in several states, gun control issues, and racial tensions within the US.

Chardon High School shooting(2/27/2012) – In the deadliest high school shooting in the US since 2005, shooter Thomas “T.J.” Lane used a .22 caliber handgun on his fellow students shortly after school began in Chardon, Ohio. Three students died within the two days following the incident. Two others were hospitalized: one with several serious injuries, and the other with a minor injury. A sixth student sustained a superficial wound. The suspect, Lane, had his juvenile records released to the press, showing a history of violence. His father, Thomas M. Lane Jr., also had a criminal record, including a one-year stint in jail for attempted murder. Westboro Baptist Church famously announced that they would picket the victims’ funerals, causing thousands more to show up to counter-protest the group.

Oikos University Massacre(4/2/2012) – Oikos University, a Korean Christian college in Oakland, California, hosted a tragic act of violence in early April when 43-year-old One L. Goh, a former student at the school, stood up in the middle of a nursing class and ordered classmates to line up against the wall. He reportedly shouted “Get in line … I’m going to kill you all!” according to a witness. He killed seven people execution-style, and wounded an additional three. The shooting marked the deadliest gun-related attack since 2007′s Virginia Tech massacre, and is the third-deadliest university shooting in US history.

Chicago, IL gangland shootings(6/2012 – 9/2012) – Chicago hasn’t just played host to a contentious teacher’s union strike this year. The city has been plagued by gang-related violence that rivals even Kabul, Afghanistan with respect to the loss of human life. Two teenage boys, ages 13 and 14, were among four people killed, and at least 30 others wounded in shootings during the month of June. In late August, gang-related shootings injured 19 people, with 13 of the victims wounded within the same 30-minute window. Then, in late September, at least six men were killed and 23 people wounded over the course of a single weekend. Crime in Chicago has increased from 2011, as the Windy City has played host to over 400 homicides in 2012, the worst number in 10 years.

Aurora, Colorado and The Dark Knight Rises massacre(7/20/2012) - A mass shooting occurred at the Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, the night of the premiere of Christopher Nolan’sThe Dark KnightRises. Roughly 20 or 30-minutes into the film, a gunman dressed in tactical clothing set off tear gas grenades and opened fire on the packed theater’s audience with multiple firearms. The gunman killed 12 people and injured 58 others. The sole suspect is one James Holmes, who was arrested moments later outside of the theater. Media interest in Holmes following the attack has helped paint a portrait of the accused killer: A young graduate student whose personal life began to crumble, and who apparently displayed several warning signs leading up to the horrific attack. His behavior since his arrest has been labelled erratic, confusing, and sometimes violent.

Wisconsin Sikh Temple shooting (8/5/2012) - A mass shooting took place at a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin on August 5. A single gunman, white supremacist Wade Michael Page, shot several people in the temple, including a responding officer. He killed a total of six and wounded four others. After being shot in the stomach by another officer, Page turned his gun on himself, ending his own life. In the aftermath, President Barack Obama called the Sikh community “a part of our broader American family” and called for a collective “soul searching” to end the trend of violence in the states. The incident shocked the community, and several officials offered their condolences to the families of the victims. Candlelight vigils were held in both the US and India. Sikhism is primarily considered a peaceful religion, and there is some confusion between practicing Sikhs and practicing Muslims in some Western circles, which may partially account for the massacre.

College Station, Texas shooting(8/13/2012) - A violent incident near Texas A&M University saw unprecedented campus lock-down and communication through social media sites like Twitter. Three were killed (including the gunman), with early reports indicating that six others were injured. Brian Bachmann, the elected Police Constable for Precinct 1 in Brazos County, was killed at point-blank range and in cold blood by Thomas “Tres” Caffall. Bachmann was attempting to serve Caffall with an eviction notice. Both of Caffall’s parents were unsurprised by his actions, with his mother saying she knew it was her son immediately when she heard the reports, and his step-father calling him a “ticking time bomb” who was “crazy as hell.”

The incident arrived less than a week after the Wisconsin Sikh temple shooting, and less than a month after the Aurora massacre, increasing media coverage of the violent act.

Empire State Building shooting(8/24/2012) – A gunman shot and killed a former co-worker outside of the Empire State Building in New York City in late August. The gunman was 58-year-old Jeffrey T. Johnson, who was shot dead by police officers after raising his weapon at them. His victim was 41-year-old Steven Ercolino, a salesman and colleague of Johnson’s, with whom he had a tumultuous professional relationship. The two had reportedly been engaged in numerous disputes and altercations before, with Johnson threatening Ercolino’s life at least once before, despite other co-workers describing the shooter as a friendly, outgoing man. Nine bystanders were injured during the incident, with Police Commissioner Ray Kelly confirming that those injured were accidental victims of indirect NYPD officer gunfire. None suffered life-threatening injuries.

West Indian Day parade in Brooklyn (9/3/2012) - An otherwise peaceful, jubilant, and colorful West Indian Day parade was marred by tragedy and violence, when two men were fatally stabbed in the neck after altercations. Two other individuals, a man and a woman, were shot, seemingly for no reason. Neither gunshot victim’s wounds were considered life-threatening. The West Indian Day parade has earned an unfortunate reputation for violence over the past two years. In 2011, 67 people were shot across the city over Labor Day weekend, with 13 ultimately dying. A police shootout in Crown Heights after the parade claimed the lives of two people, including an innocent bystander.

US Embassy in Libya and Ambassador Christopher Stevens(9/11/2012) – Unrest in the Middle East has seen an all-time high in 2012 with numerous protests and US embassy attacks in the area late in the year. At the US Embassy in Benghazi, Libya, staffers were overwhelmed on September 11 by protestors and heavily armed gunmen, resulting in the deaths of four Americans, including US Ambassador Christopher Stevens. Though the attack was initially reported as a response to the anti-Islamic film Innocence of Muslims, the US State Department later confirmed that the attack was believed to have been orchestrated by the terrorist group Al Qaeda. Though Stevens was believed to have died from smoke inhalation, and was nearly rescued by a group of sympathetic Libyans the night of the attack, other reports have suggested that the Ambassador was violently raped before he died, in a manner that reflected the death of Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Though preliminary autopsy reports showed no signs of trauma on the Ambassador’s body, many questions about his death remain unanswered, and his body has been turned over to US authorities. An investigation is currently underway.

Though not an exhaustive list either domestically, or much less so, worldwide, these are the events considered by us to be the most violent in 2012. Taking into account the extent of the violence, as well as both public and media reaction, these are the incidents that affected all our lives the most this year proving once more the damaging rippling effect that violence and the loss of human life has on us all.

As 2012 comes to a close in the coming months, we can all look forward to 2013 and hope that the promise of a new year does not pay further tribute to our history of violence.

What do you think of our Top 10 Most Violent Acts of 2012 list? What did we miss? What did we not talk about enough? Sound off!

A History Of Violence: Top 10 Most Violent Acts Of 2012 is a post from: The Inquisitr

Topical costumes are always a big hit on October 31, but these James Holmes Halloween masks might cross the line.

ABC reports that an eBay seller recently put up a custom rubber Halloween masks of James Holmes, the man who was arrested earlier this year for shooting several people at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, for sale on the auction site. eBay has removed the listing.

The company said in a statement:

“The listing was removed because it did not comply with our Offensive Materials policy. Out of respect for victims of violent crimes, eBay does not allow listings that attempt to profit from human tragedy or suffering.”

Twelve people were killed during the Aurora movie theater shootings and more than 50 more were injured.

The eBay listing read:

“SHOCK EVERYONE YOU KNOW! There is nothing more scary than crawling into James Holmes mind and wearing his face. His ‘soul penetrating eyes’ and ‘The Joker’ orange hair makes this mask the most disturbing object you will ever own. Imagine owning the mask of supposedly the most dangerous mass murderer in US history.”

The seller, realface13, claimed that the mask was won at a poker tournament in Europe. The seller was asking for at least $500 for the mask.

What do you think about the James Holmes Halloween Mask? Was eBay right to pull the auction?

Josh Nolan, an Iraq war veteran who was injured in the shooting, told ABC:

“Are you kidding me? That just took the cake right there. I’m too upset to think about it.”

James Holmes Halloween Mask Removed From eBay is a post from: The Inquisitr

Prosecutors in the Aurora theater shooting case have given up the fight for a notebook sent by the accused, James Holmes, to his psychiatrist before the July 20 massacre. They say that they don’t want to delay the case any further, and reason that they’re likely to get their hands on it as the case proceeds anyway.

Reports the Denver Post, prosecutors in the Arapahoe County Courthouse Thursday morning said that they’d stop pursuing James Holmes’ notebook, which could be a journal containing evidence that the prosecution might deem valuable. They believe that the debate over the notebook would delay the case for months, and contend that they’ll gain access to it down the road anyway.

“There’s a high degree of likelihood that whatever privilege exists in the notebook will end up being waived by the defendant” said prosecutor Rich Orman regarding the defense’s possible pursuit of an insanity plea.

According to NBC News, Holmes’ notebook might contain descriptions and drawings of a violent attack.

Giving up the fight for the notebook is a risky move, notes the Post. If the defense does opt for the insanity plea, then Holmes waives any privilege to it, but that doesn’t automatically mean that the prosecution will be allowed access to it. “It is very possible,” said former judge Christina Habas, “but it’s not 100 percent certain.”

Holmes is facing 142 counts, including 24 counts of first-degree murder and 116 counts of attempted first-degree murder, plus one count of possession of an explosive device and one count of sentence enhancement for allegedly committing a crime of violence. The prosecution asked the judge yesterday to add 10 more counts to Holmes’ charges.

Holmes reportedly appeared in court today without his muttonchop sideburns and unkempt red hair, having had both recently cut.

James Holmes Prosecution Stops Fighting For Notebook: ‘We’ll Get It Eventually Anyway’ is a post from: The Inquisitr

Colorado prosecutors in the Aurora theater shooting case are asking a judge to charge accused shooter James Holmes with 10 more counts, bringing the total number against him to 152.

According to the Denver Post, prosecutors also asked Judge William Sylvester of the 18th Judicial District to amend 17 charges, including 16 attempted murder charges and the one count of crime-of-violence sentence enhancement. Casimir Spencer, a spokeswoman for the 18th Judicial District Attorney’s office could not comment on the development due to a gag order on the case.

The motions by the prosecution were disclosed in the case’s register of actions, which shows a shorthand summary of case activity. The specifics about the new charges and how the other charges against him would be changed or adjusted were not immediately available, reports MSN.

Currently, 24-year-old James Eagan Holmes is facing 142 charges: 24 counts of first-degree murder and 116 counts of attempted murder. He is accused of going on a killing spree in an Aurora, Colorado theater packed for the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises, Christopher Nolan’s third and final entry in his extremely successful Batman franchise. He was reportedly decked out in riot gear and carrying several firearms. The July 20 shooting resulted in the death of 12 people, with another 58 injured.

Holmes is a former graduate student in neuroscience, and several reports had him dropping out of the program and making veiled threats to peers and professors in the weeks leading up to the shooting. His apartment was also found to be booby-trapped with explosives after the shootings, and several inside reports have alleged increasingly violent and erratic behavior while behind bars. His first day in court was also viewed as strange, and has become a subject of media interest and speculation.

James Holmes Prosecution Wants 10 More Charges is a post from: The Inquisitr

Police arrested a man wearing Joker makeup at a Florida movie theater Wednesday after calls that the man was behaving in a suspicious manner.

Christopher Sides, 21, was arrested as he exited the Premiere Theatre in Melbourne, Florida. CNN reports that Sides had his face painted like the Joker from the Batman movies and that his hair was dyed pink. He cooperated with police during the arrest and did not make any threats.

Melbourne police received a call that Sides was pacing back and forth in front of and later inside the theater around 10:30 am. Police apprehended Sides and did a warrant search. The New York Daily News reported that the seach brought up an unrelated failure to appear on a previous misdemeanor charge. He was arrested for the failure to appear charge, not for the Joker outfit.

Sides had purchased a ticket to see The Expendables 2 and was not armed.

The incident conjured up images of the July shooting at a Colorado theater when a gunman dressed in riot gear shot and killed 12 people while injuring several others during the premiere of the latest Batman film. That shooter, James Holmes, was also dressed as the Joker.

Melbourne police told the Daily News that Sides claimed not to be aware of the massacre in Aurora, Colorado. The Aurora shootings have sparked an attempted copy cat or two, leading many to give a closer eye to the behavior of others in movie theaters.

“We are always vigilant,” Premiere Theatre general manager Jim Murrish said. “Safety is our number one priority.”

Christopher Sides’ Joker makeup can be seen in his mug shot show above.

Man In Joker Makeup Arrested At Florida Theater is a post from: The Inquisitr

Prosecutors in the Aurora, Colorado shooting spree case say that James Holmes made threats and was subsequently banned from the University of Colorado after failing a key exam six weeks before the rampage. “Find another career field,” was the advice from professors that may have started Holmes down his destructive path.

We previously said that James Holmes is actually not as intelligent as early reports characterized him, and new claims by the prosecution in the case against him seem to confirm our initial report. The prosecution’s claim that Holmes had failed a key exam and was banned from campus afterwards also lends to something that this case is still lacking: proper motive.

The prosecution leveled their accusations against James Holmes in court Thursday as they attempted to convince a judge to give them access to records from the university where Holmes was enrolled as a graduate student. The prosecutors also claimed that University of Colorado professors advised Holmes to look for a different line of work prior to the shooting. Attorney Karen Pearson didn’t say where the prosecution got the information, and they didn’t give any details about the supposed “threats” made by Holmes.

The defense objected to the release of academic records, with Attorney Daniel King calling the prosecution’s request a “fishing expedition.”

James Holmes is accused of killing 12 people and wounding 58 others in a July 20 shooting at an Aurora, Colorado theater during the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. Since his arrest, he has showed increasingly antisocial and eccentric behavior behind bars, and the cult-of-personality surrounding the reported killer is beginning to border on disturbing.

James Holmes Failed Exam, Was Told To Pursue Another Career Prior To Aurora Shooting is a post from: The Inquisitr

Jennifer Gallagher, a nurse who cared for the Aurora shooting victims at the University of Colorado Hospital last month, has drowned while swimming at night in West Okoboji Lake in Iowa on August 6.

Gallagher, 46, was found by a family member under a dock the day after she left to go swimming and was pronounced dead at the scene, according to The Huffington Post.

For a community already in mourning after losing 12 people in a horrific massacre last month, Gallagher’s death is yet another blow. Her husband, Greg, stated that Jennifer was one of the nurses who met with President Obama when he visited on July 22.

She had worked at the University of Colorado Hospital for 13 years and helped open the hospital’s neurological intensive care unit. Greg Pinson stated of his wife:

“She worked the morning after the Batman massacre in a very busy unit of the hospital – so she saw everything really, some really bad injuries.”

The Los Angeles Times reports that Chief Nursing Officer Carolyn Sanders spoke of Jennifer Gallagher, saying:

“Jenny was a beloved nurse. She was very well known for her ability to connect with people, show empathy and develop caring relationships with her patients.”

Gallagher helped to care for some of the most critically injured patients of the Dark Knight Rises massacre in Aurora, Colorado last month including Caleb Medley, who was shot in the eye by the gunman, leaving him in critical condition ever since, reports CBS News.

Medley, whose pregnant wife was also in the theater during the July 20 shooting, was in a coma when his wife gave birth to their baby in the same hospital, just four days after the shooting. Greg Pinson said that his wife was “very affected by that, the fact that his life was so dramatically altered and a newborn baby arriving almost at the exact same time.”

Jennifer Gallagher and Greg Pinson were married seven years ago and have a five-year-old son together.

Jennifer Gallagher: Nurse Who Cared For Aurora Shooting Victims Drowns On Family Vacation is a post from: The Inquisitr

Centennial, CO – The defense lawyers for Aurora shooter James Holmes aren’t pulling any punches. They admitted in open court that they believe their client to be insane, and asked for more time to figure out his mental condition before entering a plea.

Holmes’ attorneys made their announcement Thursday at a hearing of assembled media outlets demanding that the judge unseal court documents that may contain important details about July’s “Dark Knight Massacre” in Aurora, Colorado. The prosecution and defense both are trying to keep such documents sealed so long as the case is pending, reports TMZ.

The defense also made a curious request related to Holmes’ alleged insanity. They asked the judge to push prosecutors and investigators to turn over all documents related to the defendant and his case, so that they could build a full understanding as to just how far off the reservation Holmes really is. “We cannot begin to assess the nature and the depth of Mr. Holmes’ mental illness until we receive full disclosure of all the documents,” his lawyer said.

According to KIMT-TV, Holmes appeared in court with the same “dazed demeanor” that he has become known for. Of course, his behavior during his court appearances paints a somewhat different picture from reports of his conduct in prison. Many who have daily access to him not involved in his case believe that he’s merely “faking” his insanity, and that it won’t hold up in court.

It seems apparent that the so-called “insanity plea” is really going to be Holmes’ only chance in his trial.

Scott Robinson, a Denver defense attorney and legal consultant to NBC News not connected to the case concurs with this assessment. “By alluding to Holmes’ mental problems, it’s clear the defense is sowing the seeds for a defense of not guilty by reason of insanity,” said Robinson.

Now we pass the ball to you. Do you think that Holmes could get off under an insanity plea?

James Holmes’ Lawyers Admit Client Is Crazy, Likely To Pursue Insanity Plea is a post from: The Inquisitr

The psychiatrist treating Aurora shooter James Holmes in the time leading up to the massacre that killed 12 people at an opening-night showing of the film The Dark Knight Rises warned the young man’s university weeks before the spree killing, a new report suggests.

The woman treating suspected Aurora shooter James Holmes, Dr. Lynne Fenton, is said to have contacted the young man’s university with concerns — likely about his mental state — prior to the deadly incident last month. While privacy laws surrounding medical treatment and conditions prevent the information from being confirmed, the fact that Holmes’ psychiatrist is thought to have called the university suggests that the possibility Holmes would harm others (rather than himself, which is less likely to require contact with his university) was apparent in the days and weeks before he gunned down 12 theater patrons and wounded scores more.

The reason for the call reportedly made by Fenton in June, ahead of the July 20th Dark Knight Rises massacre, was not made public. A Denver-area news station only cites “sources with knowledge of the investigation” in reporting the alleged phone call, but the information leaked suggests that the nature of Fenton’s concerns surrounded potential harm to others and a threat posed to Holmes’ classmates:

News site KMGH reports:

“Sources say Dr. Lynne Fenton, who treated Holmes this spring, contacted several members of the BETA team in separate conversations. According to the university website, the BETA team consists of “key” staff members from various CU departments who have specific expertise in dealing with assessing potential threats on campus. And, sources say, officials at the University of Colorado never contacted Aurora police with Fenton’s concerns before the July 20 killings.”

Intervention seems to have been a near miss with suspected Aurora shooter James Holmes, as just as Fenton was sounding the alarm, Holmes was dropping out of school — thereby placing him out of the reach of the BETA team. The news site continues:

“‘Fenton made initial phone calls about engaging the BETA team’ in ‘the first 10 days’ of June but it ‘never came together’ because in the period Fenton was having conversations with team members, James Holmes began the process of dropping out of school, a source said.”

Holmes’ treatment and any further contact by Fenton to authorities would also fall under HIPAA laws, so little is known about what occurred after the initial reports were allegedly made. Officials at the school believe that they did all they were able to do regarding the situation before Holmes’ access to secure areas of the school was revoked on June 12th.

Aurora Shooter’s Shrink Warned University Weeks Before ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Massacre [Report] is a post from: The Inquisitr

In the aftermath of the Aurora, Colorado shootings, Illinois governor Pat Quinn has proposed a state ban on assault weapons, facing decades of fervent opposition in the process.

The July 20th Colorado shooting, where grad school dropout James Holmes reportedly shot and killed 12 people, inspired Illinois Democratic governor Pat Quinn to renew his fight against assault weapons, proposing a state ban on Tuesday, reports Reuters. Though Quinn calls himself a “strong supporter” of the constitutional right to bear arms, he argued that the availability of military-style assault rifles undermines the public’s safety.

“There is no place in the state of Illinois for weapons designed to rapidly fire at human targets at close range,” said Quinn, whose proposed ban also includes sanctions against high-capacity magazines. California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York have similar bans in place, and a nationwide ban on such weapons expired in 2004.

Quinn’s appeal for an assault weapons ban bore direct references to the tragic Colorado shooting. “We should show the nation that when something really bad happens, as happened in Aurora, Colo., a horrific massacre, that we don’t stand idly by,” Quinn said. “We take action.” He also noted that his own emotional response stemmed from the story of victim John Larimer, a Crystal Lake native who shielded his girlfriend from bullets, reports the Chicago Tribune.

“He is the exact same age as my youngest son,” said Quinn, who attended Larimer’s wake. “He lost his life to an assault weapon with these deadly ammunition magazines carrying round after round that was poured into that movie theater.”

Illinois already boasts some of the toughest gun control laws in the country, being the only state of the 50 that does not allow conceal and carry permits, and requiring a firearm owners identification card to purchase guns of any kind. The state also tends to rank relatively high in violent crimes, according to official Illinois crime rankings.

Do you think that there should be a renewed national effort to ban assault weapons? Is Pat Quinn on an early trend here?

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn Proposes Assault Weapons Ban is a post from: The Inquisitr

Nothing is worse than a tragedy, like the Dark Knight Rises shootings, but inevitably, bad things pop up in such an event’s wake — such as the dating website trying to gain morbid attention through the massacre by tying in a question in a press release to the event that killed 12 people, including a child, and critically injured scores more.

Making money off a high profile tragedy is ugly, but it happens — and dating site WhatsYourPrice.com is probably not a surprising candidate for capitalizing on the murders in Aurora. Yes, the dating site is one with a (not-too-uncommonly of dating sites) misogynist twist.

You know that old joke about offering a woman $1,000 to sleep with her, then $10 and when she asks what you think she is, saying “my dear, we’ve already established that, now we’re just settling on a price?” Whatsyourprice.com, the site capitalizing on the Aurora shootings, is in the genre of sites that purport to match women who seek wealth up with men willing to pay for looks or beauty, allowing men to bid on women for dates.

So it’s probably no shock that a site that has no problem commoditizing women also has no problem commoditizing recent and real human suffering.

The blog Death and Taxes has a doozy of an email pitch from the site, however, proposing, essentially, that high-earners are more likely to “take a bullet” for women than their retail-working or burger-flipping counterparts. Putting aside the arguably dated concept than males should “take bullets” for females, it should be noted that four young men indeed lost their lives in the Aurora shooting doing just that.

Their bravery, gender notwithstanding, moved much of America after the horrifying incident — but it’s disgusting to think of making money off the deaths of four very young, very promising young men who, during a single moment of crisis, sacrificed their lives to protect people they loved and cared about.

Below is the full text of the email sent by WhatsYourPrice.com attempting to profit off the Aurora tragedy — is this the sleaziest dating site gimmick yet?

“In the event of a tragedy like the Dark Knight Massacre, who would you want by your side on a first date? One online dating website asked their members what they would do on a first date if they found themselves in danger, and the answer may surprise you. If you are holding out for a hero, dating someone who is generous, but not necessarily wealthy, may be the difference between life and death.

“During the Dark Knight Massacre, three men lost their lives to save the lives of their girlfriends. But what if you were on a first date, and you had only just met? How do you differentiate the courageous from the cowardly? According to the results of the survey of over 20,000 generous male members, it’s by generosity, but a man’s generosity is not defined by the size of his wallet. In fact, men who make between $80,000 to $150,000 per year are more likely to take a bullet for you on a first date.Those who fall outside of that income bracket, are significantly less likely to put their well being over that of their date’s, on a first date.

“WhatsYourPrice.com is the first online dating website where generous members can bid on a first date with an attractive member. The website launched in April 2011 and currently has over 400,000 members worldwide. “Our website is known for generous men bidding for the chance to spoil and pamper women on a first date,” says Founder & CEO, [redacted]. “Not only are they generous, but most of the men who use our website are also gentlemen. A gentleman opens doors, pulls out chairs, and puts their well being above that of their date, even in the line of fire.”

“I have attached the press release for your review, and the full study is available by request. To schedule an interview with Founder & CEO, [redacted], please send an email to [redacted] or call [redacted].”

Tasteless Dating Site Exploits Dark Knight Massacre To Promote Their Service is a post from: The Inquisitr

Ashley Moser survived the Aurora shooting that took the life of her 6-year-old daughter, and initially Ashley’s unborn child appeared to make it through unscathed despite the fact that Ashley had been shot in the stomach.

But tonight Ashley Moser’s family released a statement that the trauma from surgery caused Ashley to miscarry, the Associated Press reported. Jacki Kelley, a representative of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s office, declined to release further details and said the family would not speak to the media.

Ashley Moser’s daughter, Veronica Moser-Sullivan, was the youngest person killed in the attack during a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colo. Ashley Moser suffered gunshot wounds to the neck and abdomen.

After the shooting last week family members had held onto hope for the unborn child, saying it gave them something to grasp onto after Ashley Moser lost so much. Even before the shooting, she and her family struggled through a difficult year. She had just lost her father after a 10-month battle with leukemia, a fight that left the tight-knit family emotionally and financially devastated.

Ashley Moser herself was crushed at learning of her daughter’s death. Her mother joined doctors and a hospital chaplain to tell her in the days after the shooting, with Ashley reportedly responding, “I want to die.”

Ashley Moser likely faces a tough road ahead. She was unemployed and living off a student loan for a nursing program she had been attending. Family members said they don’t know how she will be able to deal with the stress of medical bills and planning her daughter’s funeral.

Ashley Moser could have some help, though. An online fundraiser has been started in her name, and after briefly closing a new fundraiser re-opened along with separate fundraisers on a local level. Several hospitals have also vowed to wipe out medical bills for victims of the shooting.

James Holmes, the 24-year-old suspected in the shootings, is set to be formally charged with several accounts of first-degree murder when he appears in court on Monday, Reuters reported. There is no word yet if Ashley Moser’s unborn child will be counted among the victims.

Ashley Moser, Mother Whose 6-Year-Old Daughter Was Killed In Aurora Shooting, Miscarries is a post from: The Inquisitr

James Holmes, the man accused of opening fire at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado last week and killing 12 (wounding 58), was seeing a psychiatrist before the devastating killing spree, according to Holmes’ lawyers.

The Huffington Post reports that court papers filed on Friday show that the former graduate student was being treated by a psychiatrist at the University of Colorado, where he studied.

Defense attorneys for accused shooter James Holmes made the disclosure in a court motion and showed that they are currently seeking to discover the source of leaks to some media outlets regarding a package that Holmes sent the psychiatrist. The package contained a notebook with descriptions and pictures of an attack, which authorities believe could have been the alleged shooter’s planned movie theater rampage.

The attorneys wrote that the leak violated a judge’s gag order and also jeopardized James Holmes’ right to a fair trial. They added:

“The government’s disclosure of this confidential and privileged information has placed Mr. Holmes’ constitutional rights to due process and a fair trial by an impartial jury in serious jeopardy.”

According to ABC News, Holmes’ attorneys filed the motion, demanding that the court, “immediately produce all discovery pertaining to the seizure of the package.”

Investigators initially discovered the package on Monday in the University of Colorado’s mail room and were so concerned that it could be rigged with explosives that they sent in a robot to recover the package. Once it was opened, they allegedly found plans for a massacre, which included drawings of a stick-figure mowing down his victims with a gun.

The Arapahoe County District Attorney’s office, which represents the state, immediately filed an objection to the motion, asking that it be denied. They said that the motion by Holmes’ attorneys was, “based on certain factual assumptions that are not established by evidence and that the People believe are of dubious validity, if not outright incorrect.”

James Holmes will make his second court appearance on Monday, where he will be formally charged for the Aurora, Colorado shootings.

Do you think that the revelation that Holmes was seeing a psychiatrist before the Dark Knight shootings will help his position in court, or is it simply a coincidence?

James Holmes: Colorado Shooting Suspect Was Seeing Psychiatrist Before Massacre is a post from: The Inquisitr

World famous composer Hans Zimmer who’s known for his beautiful, sweeping, scores for films such like The Dark Knight Rises, and Inception, has decided to give back to the community of Aurora after the midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises shooting left 12 dead and 58 people injured .

Zimmer, in order to aid the victims and utilize his creativity at the same time, has decided to compose a song that is exclusively dedicated to The Dark Knight Rises shooting victims. The song, which is titled Aurora has been written and composed by Hans Zimmer, and is open for fans of the composer and the film, The Dark Knight Rises, to donate. Even if a fan doesn’t have much money, the options of money donations are spread out to cater to every class of every community that feels the need to donate, from 10 cents to $2500.

The Aurora donation and exclusive song has been set up on Hans Zimmer’s Facebook page, with a message that reads the following:

Aurora’ is dedicated to those who lost their lives and were affected by the tragedy in Aurora, Colorado. I recorded this song in London in the days following the tragedy as a heartfelt tribute to the victims and their families. 100% of the proceeds will be donated to Aurora Victim Relief organization. The track is available on iTunes shortly and you can donate here: WaterTowerMusic.MoonToast.com.

This isn’t the first time Facebook has been implemented in the wake of the Aurora shooting. Last week, a man named Jared Adams campaigned for Christian Bale to visit the victims of the Aurora shooting, and within a few hours the page had 1,500 Facebook likes, and eventually led to Bale attending Colorado’s memorial and visiting the victims in their hospital beds as they recovered injuries sustained in the shooting.

Hans Zimmer Composes Song Dedicated To Aurora Shooting Victims is a post from: The Inquisitr

Was the shooting in Aurora, Colorado, a tragic event or fodder for a comedy routine. According to Dane Cook, it was a little bit of both.

Cook performed at the Laugh Factory this week and decided to throw in a joke or two about the dozens of people who were shot during the Dark Knight Rises premiere in Colorado.

Cook said:

“So I heard that the guy came into the theater about 25 minutes into the movie… And I don’t know if you’ve seen the movie, but the movie is pretty much a piece of crap. Yea, spoiler alert…. I know that if none of that would have happened, pretty sure that somebody in that theater, about 25 minutes in, realizing it was a piece of crap, was probably like ‘ugh fucking shoot me.’”

Cook’s joke earned some groans and some uncomfortable laughter from the audience.

What do you think? Was Dane Cook’s joke out of line?

Earlier this month, Daniel Tosh got into some hot water when he joked about an audience member getting raped. Several comedians came to Tosh’s defense saying that it was only a joke.

Cook wrote:

“If you journey through this life easily offended by other peoples words I think it’s best for everyone if you just kill yourself.”

What do you think? Is America too sensitive? Was Dane Cook’s joke too soon?

Here’s the video.

Dane Cook Makes Aurora Shooting Joke [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Some victims of last week’s shooting in Aurora, Colo., won’t have to worry about paying the costly medical bills associated with their treatment and immediate recovery from their gunshot wounds.

Three of the Colorado hospitals that took in victims from the mass shooting at a midnight premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises” have announced that the will limit or completely wipe out the medical bills, the Associated Press reported. The victims are mostly young and many are without health insurance, the report noted.

Children’s Hospital Colorado, which treated six shooting victims, announced it is using donations and its charity care fund to cover the medical expenses of the uninsured. For those with insurance, the hospital is waiving all co-pays for shooting victims.

“We are committed to supporting these families as they heal,” a statement released by the hospital read.

HealthOne, which owns the Medical Center of Aurora and Swedish Medical Center, also says it will limit or eliminate charges based on the individual circumstances of the patients. The two hospitals have treated 22 shooting victims.

The victims still face a long and possibly costly recovery. The associated medical costs are expected to remain high as they enter the rehabilitation phase of their recovery

The Colorado shooting victims have had help elsewhere. Warner Bros., the studio that released “The Dark Knight Rises” contributed $2 million to help victims pay their bills and other families have taken to online fundraisers to help with the costs.

One of those victims, 23-year-old aspiring comic Caleb Medley, remained in critical condition with a head wound as his wife, Katie, gave birth to their first child on Tuesday. His friends have started a fundraiser with a goal of collecting $500,000 for hospital bills and other expenses, the Associated Press reported. By Wednesday they were almost halfway there.

“All the money that is donated is going straight to Caleb, Katie and Hugo to help them with medical bills, getting back on their feet, help with the baby items,” friend Michael West told the Associated Press. “Anything and everything that they need.”

There are still 17 Colorado shooting victims being treated at area hospitals, and though they varying sizes of bills, there is on common denominator–they all owe a lot of money. Caleb Medley’s family estimates that his medical bills just for the immediate recovery will top $2 million.

Colorado Shooting Victims Have Their Medical Bills Wiped Out By Hospitals is a post from: The Inquisitr

Controversial filmmaker Michael Moore is passionate about gun control. He made the documentary Bowling For Columbine” shortly after the tragic massacre at Columbine High School in Colorado. Now, a week after another tragic shooting, the filmmaker is pleading with President Obama to do something about the gun issue in the United States.

In an interview with Piers Morgan, Moore said:

“If people would just rise up and say ‘Damn it, this is not the America I’m going to live in. This is too great of a country to let this happen again. I am not going to let this happen again… And I am not going to come on another one of these damn TV shows either, after the next one of these shootings, Piers… I’m sick of this. I refuse it. I refuse to live in a country like this, as I said before, and, I’m not leaving. So therefore, what am I going to do? It’s got to change.”

Moore also criticized the President for not doing more about gun control in the United States after another tragic shooting. Moore pointed to the President’s speech last week when he said that his daughters go to the movies and it could have been them in the theater.

Moore said:

“What if it were them? Would you stand at the microphone the next day and say I feel your pain and, you know, the existing gun laws, that’s what he said, the existing laws are enough. Is that really what you’d say, Mr. President? I don’t think so.”

Here’s a video of Michael Moore talking about gun control.

Michael Moore: Obama Needs To Lead On Gun Control [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

The James Holmes/Joker connection after the Aurora shooting has fascinated a horrified public after a spree killing — for which Holmes is assumed to be responsible — killed 12 theater-goers at a midnight screening late last week.

James Holmes has been suspiciously quiet since the murders, appearing subdued or even drugged at his first court hearing on Monday in relation to the shocking spree murder.

No one knows why James Holmes affected a Joker-like appearance and shot up a group of innocent individuals out to see a new summer movie, but speculation has been rife — that he was unemployed, that he had been rejected by women, that he was a member of the Tea Party or Occupy movements and his lashing out was a natural progression.

What many believe, however, is that Holmes was motivated in part by a desire for notoriety — and after all, had he just been bloodthirsty, he could have committed far more murders in a less theatrical way and evaded capture far longer.

Which has prompted an interesting question in the media — should suspected killers such as James Holmes be thwarted in receiving attention in the media in the days following a massacre?

In the US, arrests are a matter of public record, and the job of the media is to report upon an incident factually with information available at press time. But in a world eerily foreshadowed by the film Natural Born Killers nearly 20 years ago, crime and notoriety are a sickening form of fame in our social media-driven world — akin to the similar issue of criminals profitting financially off their crimes via book and movie deals.

Leading the charge to funnel ill-gotten fame away from suspected killer Holmes in the media is the brother of one of the first victims to be identified in the media, aspiring sports writer Jessica Redfield’s sibling Jordan Ghawi. Ghawi even implored President Obama to cease using Holmes’ name, a plea he says the President was amenable to when meeting with victims’ families in Colorado:

@ksatnews Please keep to the same level of accountability as the POTUS and others in not speaking the shooter’s name or posting images

— Jordan Ghawi (@JordanGhawi) July 23, 2012

The shooter has something to say and we empower him and those like him when we give him this attention.

— Jordan Ghawi (@JordanGhawi) July 23, 2012

Anders Breivik killed 77 in Oslo so that his voice could be heard in the form of his manifesto. Let us stop providing platforms for them.

— Jordan Ghawi (@JordanGhawi) July 23, 2012

Instead of the villain, focus on three heroes who died that night protecting the ones they love: John Blunk. Matt McQuinn, & Alex Teves.

— Jordan Ghawi (@JordanGhawi) July 23, 2012

Ghawi is not alone in his belief that Holmes should remain nameless in the media and rot alone in solitary confinement — Fark’s Drew Curtis proposed that instead of fearful regard, Holmes be mocked with a humorous moniker referring to a failed bad guy:

The Aurora killer wanted to be a supervillain. I suggest we all start calling him Sideshow Bob to deny him the one thing he wanted

— DrewCurtis (@DrewCurtis) July 23, 2012

Of course, the flip side of such a suggestion is purity of reporting. While Holmes may indeed have sought infamy in carrying out the killings, it is a matter of fact and record that he is the prime suspect, and a matter of public interest to determine the facts of such a horrific crime in hopes ordinary citizens can be best informed about such events.

Do you think that the media should largely ignore the perpetrators of high-profile crimes that appear fame seeking, or does the public have a right to know what happened, for better or worse?

Aurora Shooting Raises Questions, Should Suspected Killer James Holmes Be Blackballed By Media? is a post from: The Inquisitr

James Holmes, the 24-year-old man accused of opening fire inside an Aurora, Colorado theater early Friday morning, killing 12 and wounding 58, will soon begin psychiatric evaluations to find out if he is competent to stand trial.

WebPro News explains that this process is necessary, because if doctors determine that Holmes, who called himself “The Joker” was under extreme mental duress when he carried out the shootings, he could end up entering a “not guilty by reason of insanity” plea in response to the first-degree murder charge currently held against him.

According to Action News, Dale Carson, local defense attorney, believes that James Holmes’ courtroom conduct on Monday could be just an act. He stated:

“Remember he was at a movie in role play acting as if he were the Joker. So he’s into role play.”

Holmes’ behavior could mean several things though, which is what psych evaluators will attempts to uncover in the coming months. James Holmes, along with calling himself the Joker (which could indicate he was stuck in a delusion), also appeared dazed at times during the 11 minute hearing on Monday.

The alleged Dark Knight shooter also rolled his eyes at others and closed his eyelids at times while the judge was speaking. Jordan Ghawi, brother of Jessica Ghawi, who died in the shooting, agrees with Carson. Ghawi stated:

“He is a coward and a genius. He knows what he is doing. He is playing the system. I don’t believe for a second he is sitting there with his wide eyes and pretending to be incoherent.”

Before James Holmes’ attorney can enter an insanity plea, mental evaluations would have to prove this. Carson stated that:

“…the legal definition (of insanity) is the inability to know the difference between right and wrong. That’s the simple definition.”

Some courtroom viewers believed that James Holmes may have been medicated at the hearing, but jail officials refused a comment. WebPro News reports that, even if Holmes enters an insanity plea, Dr. Keith Ablow believes it is extremely unlikely that the jury would accept it. Ablow writes:

“Contrary to popular belief, defendants who are found not criminally responsible by virtue of a mental illness generally remain on locked psychiatry units for several decades–or for life. This has been the case, for example, for John Hinckley, Jr., the man who, in 1981, shot Ronald Reagan to impress actress Jodi Foster. He has remained an inpatient–with some passes to his family home–at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in Washington, D.C. for more than 30 years.”

Until the next hearing, however, James Holmes will have to undergo several stints of extensive medical testing, as well as evaluations by a team of psychiatrists, in order to determine if he is fit to stand trial. It could take up to a year for the James Holmes case to go to trial for the Dark Knight shootings. If the judge decides that James Holmes is insane, however, he may decide to forego the trial completely and send him directly to a mental hospital.

Do you think that James Holmes, who told police that he was The Joker, is insane, or does he know exactly what he’s doing?

Check out more information about James Holmes in court here:

James Holmes: ‘Joker’ To Undergo Psychiatric Evaluations is a post from: The Inquisitr

Gun sales often spike after a large-scale gun tragedy, and the Aurora, Colorado shootings that left 12 dead and dozens injured, some critically, are no exception.

While gun sales are the flip side of a coin where many are calling for tighter gun regulations, the Dark Knight Rises massacre has left many feeling exposed and under-protected in its wake.

As the gun debate rages on in the US, bolstered by those on both side wishing to prop a platform on the horrific murders, gun sales in Colorado — where the tragedy occurred — have spiked in the five days since alleged shooter James Holmes entered a crowded theater during a midnight screening and began shooting indiscriminately.

In fact, in Colorado, sales of guns have gone up 41% in the less-than-a-week since the murders, with the highest volume of increase seen on Friday — the day news of the shooting late Thursday night dominated local and national news.

According to the Denver Post, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation noted a 43% uptick in applications on Friday through Sunday in people seeking to purchase a firearm. The applications also jumped 39% over the first weekend in July.

On Friday alone, there were 1,216 checks processed for individuals seeking to buy a gun.

Jake Meyers works at Rocky Mountain Guns and Ammo in Parker, Colorado, and he explains how customers have reacted in the days following the shooting tragedy in Aurora:

“A lot of it is people saying, ‘I didn’t think I needed a gun, but now I do,’ ” Meyers said. “When it happens in your backyard, people start reassessing — ‘Hey, I go to the movies.’ “

Somewhat scarily, Meyers reports that on Friday morning, “15 to 20 people” were waiting outside the store before it opened in hopes of purchasing a gun.

Do you think more legal, licensed and informed gun owners are the answer to preventing spree killings, or will more guns lead to more deaths?

RT @ArwaM What happens after a man goes on a shooting spree in Colorado? Gun sales go up in Colorado. SRSLY AMERICA? bit.ly/OkR00Q

— Jessica Reed (@GuardianJessica) July 24, 2012

Gun sales spike in Colorado post-Aurora. A rational response from a free people: denverpost.com/news/ci_211421…

— Joshua Treviño (@jstrevino) July 24, 2012

Gun Sales Up in Colorado After Aurora Massacre, Spike of 41% Seen Since Shooting is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Westboro Baptist Church, an organization that exploits every large-scale heartbreak for their own financial gain and publicity, predictably provoked ire when they announced they’d be bringing their brand of slapstick hatred to the victims of the Aurora, Colorado shootings last week that left 12 innocent people dead and dozens more wounded.

The Westboro Baptist Church, also known as the WBC, has been pulling these stunts for years, picketing every high-profile funeral and insisting whoever is being grieved is burning in hell — an assertion that, however spurious, inflicts real emotional trauma on survivors and loved ones of those killed.

In the past, the Westboro Baptist Church has picketed funerals of American servicemen killed in the line of duty, bearing rainbow signs thanking God for IEDs (improvised explosive devices, impromptu bombs that have cost the lives of many of our soldiers and maimed many mor) and excoriating American culture for its love for homosexuality.

The actual agenda of the WBC isn’t clear, but it appears their tactics have changed slightly in recent months, as evidenced by their behavior concerning the Aurora tragedy. The group trolled locals and supporters, provoking a counter-protest to shield loved ones and victims from the hateful signs and slogans often borne by Westboro Baptist Church members, a counter-protest that was staged with no original protest materializing.

It could be argued that regardless of the Westboro Baptist Church, the show of support was a positive one. However, using the grieving in such a way is still a new low for the WBC, and a local Examiner explains how Fred Phelps and his followers manipulated Aurora residents to believe a counter-protest was required:

“At around 5:00pm many members of the WBC began retweeting on their twitter feeds a photoshopped picture of WBC protesters (see photo gallery) near the memorial for the Aurora shooting victims. This stirred many of the counter protesters to think that the WBC would be visible “any time now” or that the WBC were actually at another location in the city (which they weren’t), but in the end the WBC never showed up in Colorado.”

Before the Dark Knight Rises massacre in Aurora, the WBC pulled a similar stunt after Whitney Houston’s funeral.

Westboro Baptist Church Fakes Out Counter-Protesters, Never Shows Up In Aurora is a post from: The Inquisitr

Petra Anderson, a 22-year-old woman who was shot four times — including once in the head — during the July 20th “Batman Massacre,” has made an amazing recovery thanks to a rare brain condition she did not know she had.

According to the NY Daily, doctors were initially less than optimistic about Anderson’s prognosis, fearing the bullet that struck her skull had traveled to far into her brain, possibly leaving her with major brain damage and limited functionality.

During five hours of surgery to remove the pellet, however, doctors found what many are calling an “act of God.”

Brad Strait, a pastor at Anderson’s church, the Cherry Creek Presbyterian Church in Englewood, Colo., recounts Petra’s miraculous survival story in his blog Celtic Straits. He writes:

It seems as if the bullet traveled through Petra’s brain without hitting any significant brain areas. The doctor explains that Petra’s brain has had from birth a small “defect” in it. It is a tiny channel of fluid running through her skull, like a tiny vein through marble, or a small hole in an oak board, winding from front to rear.

But in Petra’s case, the shotgun buck shot, maybe even the size used for deer hunting, enters her brain from the exact point of this defect. Like a marble through a small tube, the defect channels the bullet from Petra’s nose through her brain. It turns slightly several times, and comes to rest at the rear of her brain. And in the process, the bullet misses all the vital areas of the brain. In many ways, it almost misses the brain itself. Like a giant BB though a straw created in Petra’s brain before she was born, it follows the route of the defect. It is channeled in the least harmful way. A millimeter in any direction and the channel is missed. The brain is destroyed.

The Sacramento Bee confirmed that Petra and her family had no idea about the rare stream of fluid in her brain, and it only would have been noticed if she received a CAT scan- which she had never needed prior to the shooting.

“I believe that she was not only protected by God, but that she was actually prepared for it,” her mother said.

Anderson was moved from the ICU Monday, according to a post by her older sister, Chloe Anderson, on a Facebook page for Petra.

She’s started to walk and speak again, as well

Following Petra’s successful surgery, the Anderson has set up a page on the fundraising website, Indiegogo.com, to raise donations for the medical care of both Petra and her mom, Kim, who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and has been given only months to live.

Readers do you believe Petra Anderson’s survival was a result of divine medical intervention?

Petra Anderson, Aurora Shooting Survivor, Saved By Rare Brain Defect is a post from: The Inquisitr

James Holmes, the alleged shooter who killed 12 and wounded dozens more in a shooting at an Aurora movie theater, made his first appearance in court Monday. And as first impressions go, it might not have been what was expected.

From beneath his shock of orange hair, a sleepy, unshaven, eye-rolling Holmes pulled off a range of expressions which ranged from nervous to tired to twitchy to blank to drugged to outright disinterested. For the watching world, it was a curious first look at a man who could yet face the death penalty if found guilty of the shootings.

At this stage in such horrible sagas, it’s common for tabloids to contact the ‘body language experts’ they keep on speed-dial, to see what they made of the various twitches, blinks, and shuffles performed by the accused. True to form, the Daily Mail was quickly on the phone to Dr Joan Neff, a University of Virginia criminologist, who said she saw clear signs of mental illness in Holmes’ behavior, speculating this may have been why he abruptly dropped out of his PhD:

“We know that certain types of psychoses tend to have an onset in the early 20s; if that’s the case he may be in the midst of coping with that. He may not know what’s going on.”

Neff also argued that the experience of being jailed and kept in solitary confinement could have taken its toll on Holmes, especially for someone who had no previous experience of being on the wrong side of the law:

“Sometimes that can be an experience in and of itself. So his appearance is not very surprising.”

Meanwhile, CNN legal analyst Paul Callan had a simpler explanation (and the one most of us would have plumped for): Holmes was just plain knackered, and struggling to stay awake after a painful lack of sleep.

“I think you’re looking at a very tired individual combined with what his normal personality might be.”

Likewise, over at ET Online psychologist Dr. Lillian Glass discussed how Holmes looked in serious need of a hammock, but also identified a man who was on the emotional brink:

“One of the things that was very telling in terms of him getting a reality check was when he would frown. He looked like he was going to cry in several instances. There was a crinkling of the forehead, the lower lips were down, and it looked like he was going to tear up.”

Glass also noted Holmes’ apparently intentional lack of direct eye contact, something she deemed as suspicious and “telling.”

Finally, there was body language expert Janine Driver, who told Extra she saw pride in the 24-year-old’s courtroom demeanor:

“He certainly looks like he’s either medicated… or maybe he’s just exhausted. [...] What [his wild eye movements] mean [are], first, he’s proud of what he’s done and then he’s fearful of the consequences, most likely.”

There’s some footage of James Holmes’ first day in court below; how did you interpret the accused’s zombified body language?

James Holmes: Body Language Experts On That Odd First Court Appearance is a post from: The Inquisitr

James Holmes is facing murder charges as the suspected movie theater shooter, and his alleged actions have now spawned the first of possibly multiple lawsuits by victims and survivor’s families. Aurora shooting survivor Torrence Brown Jr. has retained an attorney and plans to filed a lawsuit against James Holmes’ doctors, the Century 16 theater and Warner Brothers Studio, according to TMZ.

Theater shooting survivor Torrence Brown Jr.’s attorney Donald Karpel stated during an interview with TMZ his client feels the ball was dropped by multiple entities, leading to one of the largest mass shootings in United States history.

The first target of the pending Colorado shooting lawsuit is the Century 16 movie theater. According to Karpel, Torrence Brown Jr. feels the Aurora movie theater was negligent because the theater did not have an emergency door that was alarmed or guarded. James Holmes allegedly bought a ticket to “Batman Dark Knight Rises” and entered the theater with the rest of the crowd, but then went outside through the emergency exit door to retrieve his guns – then returned inside through the same emergency door and began randomly firing into the crowd.

One of the Brown’s best friends, A.J. Boik was shot in the chest during the theater shooting and later dies from his wounds. Brown did not reportedly suffer any physical wound but maintains he now suffers from “extreme trauma.”

The second groups of defendants in theater shooting survivor Torrence Brown Jr.’s lawsuit are James Holmes doctors. The survivor’s attorney told TMZ “it appears” Holmes was taking “several medications” which were prescribed by “one or more doctors.” Brown maintains James Holmes’ doctors did not “properly monitor” his condition around the time of the shooting.

Torrence Brown Jr. also included Warner Brothers in the planned theater shooting lawsuit. Karpel claims “Dark Kight Rises was particularly violent” and suspected shooter James Holmes allegedly “mimicked some of the action” on the screen.

“Somebody has to be responsible for the rampant violence that is shown today,” Aurora shooting victim Torrence Brown Jr.’s attorney, Donald Karpel, told TMZ during an exclusive interview.

First Aurora Movie Theater Shooting Lawsuit – James Holmes’ Doctors Named As Defendants is a post from: The Inquisitr

Jon Blunk, Matt McQuinn and Alex Teves are the names we should remember from the deadly attack in Aurora, Colorado. While James Holmes will be remembered as the monster who opened fire on a crowded theater and killed 12 people, Blunk, McQuinn and Teves were all shot and killed showing a level of courage and bravery we don’t often see anymore. The three of them covered up their girlfriends to keep them safe and in the act were killed themselves.

Joe Blunk is a veteran of the Navy and saw the service as a career option. He took his girlfriend, Jansen Young to see the movie and according to her, he saved her life.

Young said in an interview with “Today”,

“Jon just took a bullet for me.He knew and threw me on the ground, and was like, ‘We have to get down and stay down.’”

Young said that while Holmes was walking up and down the isle shooting people, Blunk kept pushing her further under the seats and then he fell. When Young tried to move him after the shooting he laid still.

Young told the Denver Post,

“I guess I didn’t really know he had passed, up until I started shaking him and saying, ‘Jon, Jon, we have to go… It’s time for us to get out of here,’ ”

At the same time in another part of the theater Matt McQuinn and his girlfriend, Samantha Yowler were hitting the ground. McQuinn and Yowler’s brother jumped on top of her and held her down protected from the gun fire.

Rob Scott, an attorney representing the McQuinn and Yowler families, told USA Today,

“When the gunman started shooting, Matt and [her brother] Nick … pulled Samantha to the ground and shielded her,”

Yowler herself was hit in the leg, but McQuinn having taken three shots to the body fell and never got back up.

Scott added,

“Both the Yowler and McQuinn families thank everyone for their concerns, thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. The families ask for everyone to be patient and respect their wishes during this very difficult time.”

Alex Teves, yet another hero of the attack jumped in front of his girlfriend Amanda Lindgren and pushed her to the ground to avoid the gunman. Teves was trying to fall on top of her but got hit.

Barbara Slivinske, told the NY Daily News,

“He was gonna hit the floor himself, but he never made it,”

Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper noted to the press that this horrible incident led to many acts of heroism that can’t even be described in a bright enough light to do the heroes justice.

Three Men Died Shielding Girlfriends From Gunfire In Aurora Attack is a post from: The Inquisitr

James Holmes, the Aurora shooter, was apparently prowling for a one-night stand in the days leading up to the “Dark Knight Massacre,” only to be rejected three times.

It was previously reported and later confirmed that James Holmes was an active member on Adult FriendFinder, a website used to arrange one-night stands, group sex, etc. The profile was removed by site administrators. He had apparently been reaching out to multiple women in the weeks leading up to the attack, only to be turned down by each and every one of them, reports TMZ.

Since opening his account on July 5th, he reached out to at least three women who ultimately rejected his advances and refused requests to meet up. According to the celebrity gossip site, one of the women said that Holmes wasn’t even necessarily looking for sex – he was mostly “just looking to maybe chat … nothing sexual.” The woman merely rejected him because he wasn’t her type.

Though Holmes adopted a seemingly harmless approach on a website designed for hook-ups, his profile suggested that he was down for all sorts of lewd acts, that he was primarily looking for a “casual sex” arrangement, that he was open to the possibility of a threesome with a male/female couple, and that he showed interest in attending group sex parties. A screen-cap of his profile can be seen below.

He was also reportedly a member of Match.com, according to The Blaze.

In addition to striking out “romantically,” Holmes was also rejected by a shooting range, according to Politico. He applied to join the Lead Valley Range in Byers on June 25. The owner called the number listed on the application to follow-up and invite Holmes to a mandatory orientation, but the call went to voice-mail. After hearing a “bizarre – guttural, freakish at best,” message, he decided to decline membership to Holmes.

James Holmes Was Rejected By Three Women Prior To Aurora Shooting is a post from: The Inquisitr

Alleged Aurora movie theater shooting suspect James Holmes made his first appearance in court this morning. Holmes expressed little to no expression as motions in his case were made in the Centennial, Colorado courtroom. James Holmes did not speak during the proceedings and sat with his head downward and eyes frequently half-closed during the bulk of his time in the courtroom, according to the live video feed from Colorado broadcast on Fox News.

The judge first reviewed the mandatory protection order in the Aurora shooting case. James Holmes is barred from communicating with the victim’s families or survivors in any manner. Standard protection requirements relating to the consumption of alcohol or drugs were also a part of the judge’s order to James Holmes. The Aurora theater shooting suspect did appear with the reddish-orange hair shown in earlier photos.

The judge granted a request to limit pre-trial publicity in the James Homes – movie theater shooting case. The exact details relating to publicity and access to the courtroom are not yet known. The defense also presented a motion requesting access to a preserved crime scene at the Century 16 theater and the suspect’s apartment. The “First Advisement” hearing did not include the reading of any charges against James Holmes.

Filing charges against Holmes in the Aurora shooting case are slated for a 9:30 a.m. Hearing next Monday, July 30. the hearing lasted approximately 10 minutes. At the conclusion of the movie theater shooting initial proceedings, James Holmes was transported back to the Arapahoe County jail.

The prospect of bail was not discussed during alleged shooter’s first court appearance. Security was “tight” both in and around the Araphoe Couny Justice Center in Centennial – south of Denver, according to Mercury News. James Holmes is being held in solitary confinement at the county jail. the Holmes hearing was reportedly fairly standard, except the suspect was seated in the jury box with one of his public defenders. The rest of James Holmes public defense team sat at the defense table in front of the gallery where victim’s family members and survivors were allegedly sitting.

James Holmes Makes First Court Appearance is a post from: The Inquisitr

Ashley Moser was not having a particularly good year, even before the attack at a Friday midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora, Colo., left her paralyzed and her 6-year-old daughter dead.

The pregnant mother had just lost her father after a 10-month battle with leukemia that left her financially devastated and the tight-knit family crushed. Though the 25-year-old mother had “struggled,” relatives said, she was able to straighten her life around and was taking classes to become a nurse.

Now a Reddit user has started an online campaign to raise money for Ashley Moser in her recovery. Channeling the popularity of the fundraiser for bullied bus monitor Karen Klein–and using the same Indiegogo site–the user set up a goal of raising $20,000 within 45 days. The fundraiser was off to a fast start, drawing in more than $1,500 in a little more than an hour. Donations were coming in at a rate of more than $10 per minute.

Ashley Moser will likely need the help. As the New York Daily News reported, she was in an out of consciousness for the days following the shooting. When she had stabilized enough, her mother joined a doctor and hospital chaplain in breaking the news that her daughter Veronica was killed in the shooting.

Veronica was a bubbly 6-year-old full of life, her grandaunt Annie Dalton told the New York Daily News. She was looking forward to starting the first grade at Holly Ridge Elementary School in Denver, Dalton said. Veronica loved going to school and dressing up, and was proud to tell her family how she had learned to swim during the summer.

“She was a great little girl, excited about life,” she said. “She should be at 6 years old.”

Her family members said Ashley Moser was crushed at the news of her daughter’s death and shouted, “I want to die.” But Ashley Moser has showed that she is a fighter. She is awake and recovering, and her unborn child is apparently all right even though Moser was shot in the stomach, NBCNews.com reported.

But even if she stabilizes physically, Ashley Moser faces a tough road ahead. She was unemployed and living off of her student loan, and will face even more financial stress with upcoming bills and her daughter’s funeral, Dalton told NBCNews.com.

Help For Ashley Moser: Online Fundraiser Started For Paralyzed Mother Of 6-Year-Old Killed In Colorado Shooting is a post from: The Inquisitr

In a very uncharacteristic move, News Corp owner and Media Baron Rupert Murdoch tweeted about the need for America to tighten its restrictions on guns. News Corp is the owner of Fox News and the Wall Street Journal who tend to be very pro 2nd Amendment. Murdoch released his pro gun control tweet in the wake of the shooting in Aurora, Colorado on Friday in which 12 people were killed.

Murdoch said via his Twitter account,

“We have to do something about gun controls. Police license okay for hunting rifle or pistol for anyone without crim or pscho record. No more”

In the wake of the shooting there has been increased calls throughout the political world calling for increased controls over firearms. New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg says he plans to introduce legislation soon which will curtail the sale of firearms. While the Senator’s head may be in the right place the legislation is sure to meet its death in a Republican controlled House of Representatives with an almost perfect record on 2nd amendment rights.

During a midnight showing of the new move The Dark Knight Rises, lunatic James Holmes threw a smoke bomb into the crowded theater and shot at movie goers with a variety of weapons as they fled out the door. Police said he had more than 6000 rounds of ammunition on him at the time and that he planned to kill way more than 12 people.

Holmes had even gone as far as to booby trap his apartment with explosives and accelerators in order t kill as many law enforcement agents as he could.

Rupert Murdoch Tweets Support For Gun Control is a post from: The Inquisitr

With much of the country and world reeling from the shock of the events in Aurora, Colorado that left 12 dead and at least 59 injured, Evangelical Leader Jerry Newcombe is blaming the attack on the nation’s Godlessness, while also making it a point to note that only the Christian victims of the horrible tragedy will be going to Heaven.

Jerry Newcombe, a spokesperson for Truth in Action Ministries, wrote in a column for One News Now that he believed the shooting by James Holmes during the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises is due to the loss of the nation’s fear of God. Newcombe writes:

“As of this writing, 12 people are reported to be dead, and 38 injured. The alleged shooter was a 24-year-old white male, who was wearing a bulletproof vest and a gas mask. He reportedly acted alone, using tear gas, and firing three guns.

How do we make sense out of this kind of thing? Why do things like this happen?”I can’t help but feel that to some extent, we’re reaping what we’ve been sowing as a society. We said to God, ‘Get out of the public arena.’ Lawsuit after lawsuit, often by misguided civil libertarians, have chased away any fear of God in the land — at least in the hearts of millions.”

The Huffington Post reports Newcombe went on to make even more disturbing comments during a segment on the American Family Association radio that was dedicated to the understanding of the recent Dark Knight Massacres. Newcombe separates the victims of the attacks and their afterlife based on whether they were Christian or not:

“If a Christian dies early, if a Christian dies young, it seems tragic, but really it is not tragic because they are going to a wonderful place.. on the other hand, if a person doesn’t know Jesus Christ.. if they knowingly rejected Jesus Christ, then, basically, they are going to a terrible place.”

Newcombe then goes on to say:

“For those who are not ‘in Christ’ and see this incredible tragedy, this would be a good time for soul reflection and consider why have you not accepted Jesus Christ.. I would urge anyone who is not in Christ to repent of your sins.”

Do you think Jerry Newcombe’s comments, particularly in regards to the victims of the shooting and their family’s who are still mourning this devastating event, are a bit insensitive at this time?

Evangelical Leader Jerry Newcombe Blames Dark Knight Massacre On Nation’s Godlessness: Only Christian Victims Going To Heaven is a post from: The Inquisitr

A second person of interest is being sought by Denver police in connection with Friday’s mass shooting that left 12 dead and close to 60 injured.

The identity of the person was not identified because the person has not been charged, Fox 31 Denver reported. Neighbors of the person of interest said SWAT teams and police cars have been in the alley and in unmarked cars in the street.

One neighbor told Fox 31 that the police were inside the person of interest’s home early in the morning.

“I woke up this morning with cops still here trying to look inside his home. At 5:00 a.m. cops showed-up and asked me about (him).”

It was not clear if the person of interest had an actual involvement in Friday’s shooting at a midnight premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises.” A source told Fox 31′s Justin Joseph that someone made a phone call or text from the person of interest’s phone threatening violence if James Holmes was not released from jail.

Police said Holmes had been planning the massacre for months, stockpiling a cache of weapons and purchasing 6,000 rounds of ammo online, the Denver Post reported.

The person of interest’s Facebook page shows he has a master’s degree in bio-medical science, Fox 31 reported. Anshutz Medical Center confirms that the person is in their doctorate program, the same program from which Holmes withdrew several months ago.

As we reported earlier, one of the witnesses who was present in the theater when Holmes opened fire said the gunman may not have acted alone. The witness said that it appeared someone may have helped Holmes enter the theater, though it is unclear if it was actually Holmes himself that the witness saw.

“As I was sitting down to get my seat, I noticed that a person came up to the front row, the front right, sat down, and as credits were going, it looked like he got a phone call. He went out toward the emergency exit doorway, which I thought was unusual to take a phone call.”

The second person of interest is being sought by all law enforcement jurisdictions, including local, state and federal agencies, Fox 31 reported. Neighbors say the person of interest and his roommate left their home hours before the massacre and they haven’t seen him since.

Second “Person Of Interest” Sought In Colorado Shooting, Attended School With James Holmes is a post from: The Inquisitr

Movie theater security is not an issue most of us had considered very seriously until the tragic events of late Thursday night at an Aurora, Colorado screening of the film The Dark Knight Rises.

Until suspected shooter James Holmes entered a packed theater and reportedly began shooting with abandon, movie theater security was one of the things that by and large, most Americans took for granted. Even in the frightening days after September 11th, when any mass gathering of people became somewhat unnerving for those present, the topic of movie theater security didn’t get much more than a passing mention.

But it appears that the security of moviegoers in the wake of the frightening incident is now a consideration. And on one hand, it may seem a very prudent concern — there are few instances where consumers are as vulnerable and present in such large numbers as a movie on a day-to-day basis.

(In response to the killings, some theaters have banned costumes and other distractions at movie screenings.)

On the other, movie theater security nearly seems to be an issue of diminishing returns — if movie theaters were to become like airports and stadiums, attendance would almost certainly drop to even lower levels as moviegoers decide that a film isn’t worth the trouble. Coupled with that, few incidents at movie theaters like the shocking carnage at the showing of The Dark Knight Rises have occurred in the US, and the rarity of such an incident seems to indicate that hyperbole about terrorism in general may be overstated.

Still, moviegoers are shaken by the scary events, and the Los Angeles Times quoted 34-year-old Katie Gerber as she attended a screening of the movie. Gerber admitted she was a bit spooked:

“It’s horrifying what happened in Colorado and it makes me scared about copycats here… I’m not nervous to go see the movie now, but it’ll be hard not to think about it during the gun-fighting scenes.”

Do you think movie theater security should be stepped up after the massacre during The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora?

But let’s not talk about guns! MT @CP24: AMC Theatres says it will no longer allow people to wear costumes or masks cp24.com/news/movie-the…

— James West (@jameswest2010) July 20, 2012

“Movie theater owners are ‘reviewing security procedures’”. Exactly. Why get rid of guns when you can turn every place into an airport.

— Tilo Jung (@TiloJung) July 20, 2012

Soon we will have to go through metal detector at movie theaters. Don’t believe me? We do it when we fly.#OpenYourEyes

— Jeremy Slayer©® (@SosukeAizen) July 21, 2012

Everybody bout 2 have 2 get patted down go through metal detector before being allowed to enter the movie theaters #CrazyWorld

— iROC ✌ (@Cor_Jeanae) July 21, 2012

So now what, do we need a metal detector in every public place (movie theaters, restaurants, etc) to make sure no one gets in with a weapon?

— Gris P-J(@BuddyGris) July 20, 2012

Movie theaters are gonna be just like the airport now. Take all your stuff off go through a metal detector have security pat you down..

— LeJon Pettis (@lejonpettis) July 20, 2012

just saw Dark Knight in Dedham, cop in theater and security checking the emergency exit every 20 min throughout movie. more than I expected

— Esoteric (@MCEsoteric) July 21, 2012

Dear Movie Theaters, the guy came in through the back door with 4 weapons. THAT is the security issue. Not costumes.

— Geek Girl Diva (@geekgirldiva) July 21, 2012

Movie Theater Security Eyed After ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Massacre is a post from: The Inquisitr

The recent Colorado shooting that claimed the lives of 12 moviegoers and saw scores more injured likely left many both in attendance and linked to the senseless crime in shock and reeling, but experts say that such events have a ripple effect for years in people touched by the tragedy.

The Colorado shooting left 12 dead and dozens wounded, but the aftereffects are felt way past the people who were present in the theater during the midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises.

In similar events like the Columbine massacre, which also occurred in Colorado, the lingering trauma of the tragedy did not become apparent for years after the victims and perpetrators had been laid to rest.

After the Colorado shooting, USA Today spoke with grief and trauma experts and discovered “that pain will radiate to friends, neighbors, classmates, co-workers and on to strangers who identify with young folks out to have fun at a hot new flick” in the wake of a tragedy such as the one experienced in Aurora late Thursday night.

Clinical psychologist Joel Dvoskin was involved after the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords in Tuscon where several people were also shot dead, as well as the Columbine shootings several years back in Littleton, Colorado.

Dvoskin explains that recovery from a traumatic event like the Aurora murders is relative, but trauma can re-emerge even when we think we are well past the incident:

“The Tucson community bounced back more quickly than I had dared to hope, largely because of the courageous recovery of Giffords, who gave us something positive to rally around. But I can assure you there are people for whom the Tucson and Columbine (psychological) wounds are still fresh.”

Another expert consulted about the post-shooting trauma said that the mental effects are akin to a cold or flu virus running its course.

A witness who survived the ‘Dark Knight’ #theatershooting massacre describes how she survived by playing dead thebea.st/O3lypK

— The Daily Beast (@thedailybeast) July 20, 2012

Colorado Shooting Victims, General Public Face a ‘Marathon’ of Healing After Trauma is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office has released the names of those killed in The Dark Knight Rises massacre in Aurora, Colorado Friday night. With the release of those names come stories of the victims, from Jessica Ghawi, the aspiring sports reporter, to Matthew McQuinn, who heroically shielded his girlfriend and her brother, at the expense of his own life.

While a lot of the focus so far has been spent on uncertainty about why James Holmes opened fire in a darkened theater at the start of The Dark Knight Rises midnight premiere, as well as who the shooter was, The Huffington Post was among the sites who gathered information about the victims so that we can understand and celebrate who they were.

The names of the 12 lives cut short are: Jessica N. Ghawi, Veronica Moser-Sullivan (youngest), John T. Larimer, Alexander J. Boik, Jesse E. Childress, Jonathan T. Blunk, Rebecca Ann Wingo, Alex M. Sullivan, Gordon W. Cowden, Micayla C. Medek, Alexander C. Teves and, while his body has not been definitively identified by relatives, Matthew R. McQuinn.

Among those names are Veronica Moser Sullivan, who was the youngest victim at age six. Her mother, Ashley Moser, is one of 11 victims who remain in the hospital, with the 25-year-old mother floating in and out of consciousness with bullets in her throat and a bullet wound in her abdomen.

Her aunt, Annie Dalton, told reporters, according to The Atlanta Journal Constitution, that nobody has the heart to tell Ashley that her young daughter is dead. Annie Dalton stated:

“All she’s asking about, of course, is her daughter. She was a vibrant 6-year-old. She was excited, she’d just learned how to swim. She was a great little girl, excited about life — she should be at 6 years old.”

The father of victim Alex Sullivan, 27, was photographed by reporters yesterday while he frantically searched for information about his son. Later on, he was pictured crying out while embracing family members when his search was unsuccessful. Joe Loewenguth, Sullivan’s uncle, stated:

“He was a very, very good young man. He always had a smile, always made you laugh. He had a little bit of comic in him. Witty, smart. He was loving, had a big heart.”

The oldest victim on the list is 51-year-old Gordon Cowden, age 51. The coroner’s report states that autopsies on all victims have been completed, and the cause of death for all 12 is gunshot wounds, because of homicide. Click here to see the official letter sent out by the Arapahoe County Coroner’s Office.

Dark Knight Rises Shooting Victims Names Released is a post from: The Inquisitr

It’s nearly impossible to find a silver lining on the cloud that currently hangs over Colorado. President Obama, in his weekly address, said that if there is one thing to take away from the Colorado shooting, it’s a “reminder that life is fragile.”

The president said:

“Our time here is limited and it is precious. And what matters in the end are not the small and trivial things which often consume our lives. It’s how we choose to treat one another, and love one another. It’s what we do on a daily basis to give our lives meaning and to give our lives purpose. That’s what matters. That’s why we’re here.”

The President, along with Mitt Romney and several other politicians, released statements yesterday after the shooting mourning the loss of the 12 victims and praying for the survival of the wounded.

In his weekly address, the President said that the shooting spree at the movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, was an act of senseless evil.

Obama said:

“Even as we come to learn how this happened and who’s responsible, we may never understand what leads anyone to terrorize their fellow human beings. Such evil is senseless — beyond reason. But while we will never know fully what causes someone to take the life of another, we do know what makes that life worth living.”

Here is President Obama’s weekly address.

What did you think of the President’s speech about the tragic shooting in Colorado?

President Obama: Colorado Shooting Is A Reminder That Life Is Fragile [Video] is a post from: The Inquisitr

Suspected Aurora movie theater shooter James Holmes appeared to not only have an infatuation with “The Joker” character from the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” series but also a desire to connect online with women or couples for sexual interaction. The New York Daily News released photos of James Holmes with his hair dyed red to resemble “The Joker” and information about Holmes alleged Adult Friend Finder account earlier this morning. Fox News also reports that James Holmes spent “a lot” of time playing role playing or character games online, played soccer in high school and has always excelled as science.

The Aurora police are currently reviewing the Adult Friend Finder account attempting to verify the profile posted online does belong to the movie theater massacre suspect.

Before James Holmes “lawyered-up” after the Colorado shooting, he reportedly told police officers he was “channeling” “The Joker,” the arch-nemesis of “Batman.” The photos of James Holmes taken after his arrest with bright red hair definitely resemble the classic comic book character.

The carnage in Aurora’s Century 16 theater No. 9 is the largest mass shooting in United States history, according to the New York Daily News.

Early reports about James Holmes background noted he did not have any online profiles on Facebook, Twitter or other popular social networking websites. Although Aurora police are still in the process of verifying the information, Mediate reports James Holmes likely had an account on Adult Friend Finder. Photos and information posted on the profile of a man with the screen name, “Classic Jimbo” are presumed to belong to the suspected movie theater shooter.

The information on the alleged James Holmes Adult Friend Finder account note the user is a “Gold” level member, – meaning the account has been used frequently for an extended period of time and therefore not likely a hoax created in the wake of the Aurora shooting.

The Adult Friend Finder account allegedly linked to James Holmes notes the user is seeking “casual sex” or “a fling.” “Will you visit me in prison?” – The Adult Friend Finder bio of user “Classic Jimbo” also states. The adult sexual connection website also shows several photos of a man with obviously dyed red hair which do appear to be the alleged movie theater shooter, James Holmes – but are still being reviewed by Colorado law enforcement officers for authentication.

Adultfriendfinder.com lists “ClassicJimbo” as a 24-year-old male who lives in Aurora, Colorado. The birthday listed for “ClassicJimbo” on the Adult Friend Finder profile is December 10-, 1987 and the birthday of James Egan Holmes is December 13, 1987. The difference in birth dates for “Classic Jimbo” and the alleged movie theater shooting suspect could be intention, a typo or mean the two individuals are not the same person. If the two men are not one in the same, the physical likeness is very uncanny.

James Holmes Alleged Adult Friend Finder Profile And ‘The Joker’ Photos is a post from: The Inquisitr

The Westboro Baptist Church’s leader has announced plans to picket a memorial and funerals for victims of Friday’s mass shooting in Aurora, Colo.

Taking to his twitter account, “church” leader Fred Phelps Jr. made a series of announcements that the caustic church is geared up to go to Colorado. Phelps Jr. is the son of Westboro Baptist Church founder Fred Phelps.

The shooting in Aurora, Colo., at the midnight premier of “The Dark Knight Rises” left 12 people dead and close to 70 injured. The church has made a habit of protesting high-profile funerals and memorial events, using times of grief to get across its twisted anti-gay message.

Mass killings and large-scale tragedies have been a particular hot point for them, though some inventive counter-protesters have found ways to neutralize the Westboro Baptist Church. The Patriot Guard Riders, a group of dozens of motorcyclists, are dispatched to military members’ funerals to block mourners from seeing the protesters, and radio talk show hosts have talked the church out of protesting in exchange for free air time.

The event was not yet listed on Westboro Baptist Church’s “picket schedule,” which shows church members at First Baptist Church in Columbia, MO, on Saturday and at a trio of churches in Shawnee, KS, on Sunday.

Phelps Jr.’s posts, which were re-tweeted by other church members, made it seem as this might actually happen, though. He noted that members were already gassing up the cars for the 500 mile trip to the protest.

Only 500 miles to WBC Aurora picket.#GodCursesUForFagMarriage#WorseAndMoreOnTheWay#WBCToldU#GodisAmericasTerrorist#ObeyTodayToo fun!

— Fred Phelps Jr (@WBCFredJr) July 21, 2012

If the picket goes on–and there are doubts it will, as the Westboro Baptist Church has been known to announce visits that never materialize–the picket could conflict with another planned by the church. The church announced just days ago that it plans to picket the funeral of Sage Stallone, Sylvester’s son.

Westboro Baptist Church Plans To Picket Memorial, Funerals For Colorado Shooting Victims is a post from: The Inquisitr

Big movie openings typically bring out elaborate costumes. But AMC Theaters announced today that in the wake of the Aurora, Colorado shooting, which occurred during the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises and resulted in the deaths of at least a dozen people, the theater would start banning face-covering masks and offensive costumes.

AMC Theaters wrote in a Facebook message:

“AMC Theatres is deeply saddened by the Aurora tragedy. Movie going is part of our social fabric and this senseless act shakes us to our core. We’re reinforcing our security procedures with our theatre teams… At this time… We will not allow any guests into our theatres in costumes that make other guests feel uncomfortable and we will not permit face-covering masks or fake weapons inside our buildings. If guests wish to exchange or refund any tickets, we will honor our existing policy and do as our guests wish. We are taking necessary precautions to ensure our guests who wish to enjoy a movie this weekend can do so with as much peace of mind as possible in these circumstances.”

The Dark Knight Rises shooting did not occur at an AMC Theater.

Cinemark, the operator of the Aurora, Colorado theater where the shooting took place, did not announce any costume policy changes. Timothy Warner, President & CEO of Cinemark Holdings, Inc., said:

“Cinemark’s thoughts, prayers and focus are on the families, victims, our employees and the Aurora community… We’re also very, very grateful for the quick response of the police department and emergency response teams which undoubtedly saved a lot of lives by their quick response.”

Warner said that Cinemark was currently discussing future policy changes.

The LA Times reports that Regal Cinemas, the largest theater chain, said that moviegoers “should expect stricter controls over character attire and accessories at our theaters.” Regal did not name any specific rule changes regarding movie costumes.

Movie Costumes Banned In Wake Of Aurora Theater Shooting is a post from: The Inquisitr

TheWrap confirms that Warner Bros. has pulled its “Gangster Squad” trailer in the wake of the shooting at “The Dark Knight Rises” premiere in Aurora, Colorado. “Gangster Squad” depicts mobsters in trenchcoats going backstage at Grauman’s Chinese Theater in Hollywood and begin shooting through the movie screen at the audience.

The noir film, which stars Sean Penn, Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone and Josh Brolin, focuses on the LAPD’s anti-mob gangster squad that was formed in secret in the 1940s. It is set to be released September 7.

The trailer did not play at the Aurora premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises,” but had been playing at other theaters prior to the shooting. A source close to Warner Bros. said that the company has now pulled the trailer from all theaters, but it is still widely available online.

While the Wrap had reported that Warner Bros. was also considering pulling “The Dark Knight Rises” from theaters, E! News says the studio told the site they had no plans to remove it.

The studio did, however, releases a statement about the shooting:

“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.”

Head of film distribution Dan Fellman, who said he had been making phone calls since 4 a.m., also said about the shooting,

“Everybody is very saddened by the event. We were obviously looking for a very happy occasion for us. It’s a difficult way to begin. We’re just more concerned now with the well-being of those that were injured, of course.”

Warner Bros. has released no further comment on whether any extra precautions would be taken or if “The Dark Knight Rises” screenings might be canceled.

Warner Bros. Pulls ‘Gangster Squad’ Trailer, Won’t Pull ‘TDKR’ After Shooting is a post from: The Inquisitr

In the wake of the shooting that occurred in Aurora, Colorado last night at the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises, rumors, theories, and unchecked speculation have been floating around the internet. ABC correspondent Brian Ross reported earlier today that James Holmes, the 24-year-old man who was arrested for the shooting, may be a member of the Tea Party.

Ross made the connection that the man police arrested, James Holmes, had the same name as a 52-year-old member of the Tea Party.

Ross reported:

“There is a Jim Holmes of Aurora, Colorado, page on the Colorado Tea Party site as well, talking about him joining the Tea Party last year. Now we don’t know if this is the same Jim Holmes, but it’s Jim Holmes of Aurora, Colo.”

Well, it turns out that Jim Holmes, 52, is not the same person as James Holmes, 24.

After Ross’ report, the Colorado Tea Party posted a message to its website.

“The attempts of some media organizations to characterize the shooter as a Tea Party member without having made any effort to contact our organization are shameless and reprehensible.”

After a bit of backlash, Ross and ABC News apologized for the report.

Ross said on air:

“An earlier ABC News broadcast report suggested that a Jim Holmes of a Colorado Tea Party organization might be the suspect, but that report was incorrect. ABC News and Brian Ross apologize for the mistake, and for disseminating that information before it was properly vetted.”

Twelve people died during the shooting in Aurora, Colorado, and the nation is anxious to find out the details. But jumping to conclusions is only going to get people hurt. Earlier today, a man on Facebook received death threats for, again, having the same name as James Holmes.

If you want to know about the real James Holmes, here is all that we know so far.

Brian Ross Ties Colorado Shooting Suspect James Holmes To Tea Party, ABC Apologizes is a post from: The Inquisitr

Aurora, Colorado – The Dark Knight Rises shooter James Holmes likely planned to continue his massive killing spree before he was captured by police. The 24-year-old former California resident who moved to Colorado last year to attend medical school was found to have a “sophisticated” bomb in his apartment.

Police took Holmes into custody following the move theater massacre. James Holmes had entered the theater while wearing a gas mask, bullet proof vest, ballistic helmet and military SWAT clothing. Holmes entered through an emergency exit, threw a gas bomb and then opened fire, killing at least 12 people including a baby which he shot has point-blank range.

Following his arrest and a confirmation of his identity police entered the shooters apartment which they say was “booby-trapped” with a sophisticated set of explosives. There are so many explosives in the man’s apartment that bomb experts expect to spend the next several days going through the building.

Holmes was enrolled at the University of Colorado’s graduate school where he was pursuing a PhD in neuroscience but he withdrew from the program last month.

The building where the explosives were discovered was evacuated. James Holmes lived on the third floor of a building used as university housing.

Police believe the attack was well planned out in advance of the Dark Knight Rises shootings because of the meticulous care taken to procure protective gear and Holmes’ staging of the shooting which included parking his vehicle out of sight at the rear of the building by an emergency exit.

More details are still emerging from the event which are updating HERE.

Dark Knight Rises Shooter Had ‘Sophisticated’ Bombs In His Home is a post from: The Inquisitr

Last night at the midnight premiere of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado, a man shot and killed 12 people while injuring at least 50 more. Details about the disturbing scene have been emerging all morning as people around the country express their grief over the unthinkable act.

Both President Obama and GOP candidate Mitt Romney have released statements concerning the shooting at the Dark Knight Rises premiere.

Obama said:

“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.”

Romney added:

“Ann and I are deeply saddened by the news of the senseless violence that took the lives of 15 people in Colorado and injured dozens more. We are praying for the families and loved ones of the victims during this time of deep shock and immense grief. We expect that the person responsible for this terrible crime will be quickly brought to justice.”

Officials have arrested James Holmes, 24-years-old, for the Dark Knight Rises shooting. Police believe that Holmes acted alone.

According to MSNBC, Holmes was arrested in the movie theater parking lot. He was wearing all-black, a bullet proof vest, and was carrying a knife, a rifle, and a handgun.

[

No. Colorado shooting. My heart aches. Prayers for the victims and families.

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) July 20, 2012

what devastating news to wake up to. my heart is with everyone involved in the Aurora #theatershooting. what the world needs now is…

— John Stamos (@JohnStamos) July 20, 2012

My heart goes out to all the families of the victims in the Aurora, Colorado movie theater shooting. Fucking horrific. bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-…

— KevinSmith (@ThatKevinSmith) July 20, 2012

Man. My heart goes out to the families who were effected by that terrorist act in Co. But why was a 3 month old at a midnight premiere?

— Questo of The Roots (@questlove) July 20, 2012

Praying for those affected by the CO shooting last night — our hearts are with you all.

— Reince Priebus (@Reince) July 20, 2012

Our thoughts + prayers are w/ Coloradans as they grapple with the random, senseless act of violence that took the lives of innocent people.

— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) July 20, 2012

Joining President Obama, & every American, in sending prayers to the victims of this awful tragedy in CO.

— Speaker John Boehner (@SpeakerBoehner) July 20, 2012

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the senseless tragedy in #Aurora, Colorado, and their families

— John McCain (@SenJohnMcCain) July 20, 2012

Dark Knight Rises Shooting: President Obama, Mitt Romney, Issue Statements About Horrific Event is a post from: The Inquisitr

3:09 p.m. UPDATE – Fox News reports James Holmes did purchase a ticket to see “Batman Dark Knight Rises” for theater 9. Holmes allegedly entered the theater with the crowd and sat in the front row until he “pretended” to get a phone call and casually walked out the side exit. James Holmes allegedly stored his weapons outside and upon re-entering the Century 16 theater Holmes allegedly opened fire on the crowd. Holmes has “merit based” scholarship while attending college in San Diego and remained an honor student while completing his undergraduate work. The reason he was in the process of withdrawing from the University of Colorado remains unknown. Fox News also broadcast video of James Holmes’ father landing at the Denver airport. He had no comment but was shown slightly shaking his head when posed questions about the Aurora shooting.

2:40 p.m. UPDATE- The father of the 6-year-old daughter who died earlier today from the gunshot wound she sutained during the attack by alleged shooter James Holmes, spoke with KDVR about his daughter. The man is also worried about his wife who was shot in the chest at the Aurora movie theater shooting. The man was shown only from the back during the interview and struggled through his grief to speak with the local journalist. The man was naturally extremely upset after learning his wife and daughter had been shot. His inital agitation caused concern for hospital security officers who have not yet allowed him back inside to check on his wife’s condition. The grieving father is also angry an anxous for justice for his daughter and the other mass shooting victims.

2:30 p.m. UPDATE – Although the Aurora police department is still not commenting about an alleged connection between James Holmes and “The Joker,” a federal source now confirms Holmes had painted his hair red in an attempt believed to resemble “The Joker” character in the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” series, according to Fox News.

1:49 UPDATE – The Aurora police chief reported 71 people were shot inside the movie theater. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper just held a press conference to address the mass shooting tragedy at the Century 16 movie theater in Aurora. The governor shared his remorse of the tragic loss of life and vowed to do everything within his power to keep the state safe and make sure the victim’s receive justice. Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner followed the governor to the podium, shared his sympathies on the “senseless tragedy” and encouraged parents to talk to their children and teens and to reassure them the mass shooting at the movie theater was an isolated incidence.

12:35 p.m. UPDATE – Theater shooting suspect James Holmes is tentatively scheduled to appear in court on Monday.

11:23 UPDATE – San Diego Police Lt. Andrea Brown hosted a brief press conference in front of the home of the parents of the alleged Aurora shooter James Holmes. Lt. Brown stated Holmes’ parents offered their deepest sympathy to the theater shooting victims and their families and asked the media to respect their privacy during this time. Lt. Brown also stated the Holmes’ are cooperating with law enforcement officers both in San Diego and Aurora.

10:53 a.m. UPDATE - A police press conference which just concluded reports the apartment of theater shooting suspect James Holmes is “booby-trapped” in an apparently sophisticated manner. The immediate area has been evacuated. Law enforcement officers predict it may take hours to days to completely dismantle or detonate the explosive devices inside.

10:40 a.m. UPDATE – The alleged Aurora theater shooter James Holmes did not have a permit for any of the weapons he used when randomly shooting dozens of people inside “Theater 9,” KDVR Denver reports. Holmes’ parents are en route from San Diego, where the alleged shooter also lived until recently. Holmes does not have any connection to the military or law enforcement as earlier speculated. Fox News also notes Holmes did not resist when encountered by police officers after leaving the Century 16 theater.

10:09 a.m. UPDATE – Fox News reports a 6-year-old girl injured in the Aurora theater shooting has died, noting updates given to a local affiliate by the girl’s father. The alleged mass shooting suspect James Holmes does not have any criminal record, other than a speeding ticket several years ago. Police officers searching the suspect’s apartment reportedly found “buckets of ammunition.” No motive is yet known in the Aurora mass shooting, Holmes is not said to be cooperating with law enforcement officers.

9:23 a.m. UPDATE – Aurora theater shooting 911 tapes released to news media – police scanner audio tapes posted below.

8:39 a.m. UPDATE – The movie theater mass shooting suspect has been identified as James Holmes, according to ABC News.

7:21 a.m. UPDATE – The Aurora movie theater mass shooting suspect entered through the theater’s exit door, tossed a canister of tear gas, shot at the ceiling and then fired randomly into the crowd, Fox News reports. The movie theater massacre suspect walked from an area near the corner of the screen to the main entrance to the room and back several times while reloading his weapons, witnesses told Fox News. The suspect walked into the lobby and shot those still inside attempting to escape. The Century 16 shooting suspect was allegedly dressed in a “SWAT” or military manner.

5:45 a.m. UPDATE – Aurora police officers now believe only one shooter was inside the Century 16 movie theater. The latest information about the mass shooting notes the shooter used both a handgun and a shot-gun. The alleged Aurora movie theater mass shooting suspect was captured by police already on hand for crowd control for the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” midnight premiere.

The alleged shooter is from Aurora and told police officers he has explosive devices in both his car and his apartment. Aurora police officers and the FBI obtained a search warrant and are currently searching the alleged shooter’s home. The mass shooting suspect is a 24-year-old white male, according to Fox News on-scene reporters. The shooter is now believed to have hidden a third gun in the movie theater in advance.

Could this be James Holmes, the alleged #AuroraShooting suspect? age, location is consistent facebook.com/james.holmes.7…

— exiledsurfer (@exiledsurfer) July 20, 2012

A mass shooting occurred at the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” midnight showing at in Aurora, Colorado. Early reports about the mass shooting indicate at least 14 people are dead and possibly 50 injured. A breaking news alert on Fox News with an on-scene correspondent Justin Joseph from KDVR News notes two men stood up just minutes after the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” began at the Century 16 Theaters and opened fire with “long guns” on the crowd. Moviegoers were unsure what was happening right before the shooting started – many patrons were dressed in “Batman” and movie villain costumes to celebrate the premiere of the “Dark Knight Rises.” The two male shooters were allegedly dressed in body armor and masks and used tear gas before firing on the crowded movie theater. At least 20 moviegoers at the “Batman” midnight premiere were transported to Aurora, CO. area hospitals. Aurora is a large Denver suburb approximately 30 miles from Columbine High School – a fact witnesses say brought back memories of the horrific school shooting. Police officers captured the suspected shooter almost immediately after the mass shooting in the movie theater. Fox News reports that children and one baby were among the victims at the mass shooting inside the Aurora movie theater.

University Hospital confirms the youngest patient admitted from #theatershooting is 3 months old. We have not… fb.me/1dfItceOH — 9NEWS Denver (@9NEWS) July 20, 2012

Eye witnesses who survived the shooting told the local Fox News affiliate a baby was shot at point-blank range. Swedish Medical Center representative Nicole Williams told the Wall Street Journal two people injured in the “Batman Dark Knight Rises” shooting arrived at the hospital in critical condition.

RT @CBSNews: BREAKING: Law enforcement sources identify #AuroraShooting gunman as James Holmes, age 24 (born 12/13/87). — Jim Roberts (@nytjim) July 20, 2012

There are allegedly at least 10 dead bodies inside the theater, most of them children and teenagers, according to preliminary reports from the mass shooting crime scene. The Associated Press reports the shooters fired indiscriminately around the Aurora theater as patrons tried to run for the exit. Police officers found what they believe are the suspect’s vehicles in the parking lot with at least two “devices” inside. The Fox News correspondent notes some witnesses in the area of the cars report at least one “device went off” but no one was harmed, WRIC News notes.

Mass Shooting At Aurora, Colorado Midnight Showing Of ‘Batman Dark Knight Rises’ – 14 Estimated Deaths, Including A Baby Shot At Point Blank Range [video] is a post from: The Inquisitr