POLICE Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Colorado Theater Shooting: More Details Emerge

As the day progresses, more information is surfacing about the shooting that happened at a midnight premiere screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater. But many questions remain unanswered.

July 20, 2012
2 min to read


As the day progresses, more information is surfacing about the shooting that happened at a midnight premiere screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in an Aurora, Colo., movie theater. But many questions remain unanswered.

Friends and family of victims have been given a hotline to call for information those who are still missing and those who have been placed on the victims list. But some people are having trouble getting through, and others are standing in a designated area outside of the movie theater still waiting to find out the fate of their loved ones, reports the Denver Post

Ad Loading...

The U.S. Department of Defense says two airmen and one sailor were wounded in the movie theater shooting in Colorado and one sailor is unaccounted for, according to the Associated Press.

The most recent tally of 71 victims, 12 people killed and 59 injured, makes this the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. The shooter entered via an emergency exit, threw down some sort of device that emitted smoke, and began shooting at theater goers as he roamed the aisles and even left the building to shoot at those trying to escape. 

It's been reported that when the suspect, 24-year-old graduate student James Holmes, was apprehended in possession of multiple firearms wearing a ballistic vest and leg guards and a riot helmet, that he referred to himself as the Batman villain the Joker, but the Aurora police chief has not confirmed this.

Aurora PD Police Chief Dan Oates did say today that in response to the suspect’s statement that his apartment was booby trapped, police and bomb squads have searched it with robots and found a large number of explosive devices and trip wires and have not yet decided how to proceed without setting off explosions.

New York City has increased security outside of all theaters showing "The Dark Knight Rises" and AMC Theaters is reviewing its security procedures after the shooting, the Associated Press reports.

Ad Loading...

The National Association of Theatre Owners said in a statement, "Guest safety is, and will continue to be a priority for theater owners. NATO members are working closely with local law enforcement agencies and reviewing security procedures."

Many things are still unknown, including the motivation for the shooting, the ultimate number of victims, and what the impact will be on the public.

By Melanie Basich

Related:

Colorado Batman Movie Shooting Suspect Was Ph.D. Student

Ad Loading...
Ad Loading...

More Patrol

image of men on bicycles and women competing in martial arts and a log for the US Police & Fire Championships
PatrolDecember 10, 2025

Police & Fire Championships Expands Athlete Eligibility

The US Police & Fire Championships is now open to all employees – sworn, civilian, administrative, technical, and support staff – who work directly for an eligible public safety agency.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactic & TIps against a black background and an illuminated police car light bar. Headline for Tips for Watching the Hands
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 5, 2025

Tips for Watching the Hands

How can officers better “watch the hands”? Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association, shares some tips.

Read More →
Thumbnail for video series POLICE Topics, Tactics & Tips with yellow headline 10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops.
Sponsoredby Wayne ParhamDecember 3, 2025

10 Tips for Felony/High-Risk Stops

What steps can officers take to stay safer during felony or high-risk vehicle stops? Here are 10 tips from Mike Willis, Law Enforcement National Training and Program Director for the US Deputy Sheriff's Association.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Screenshot of compute screen showing a blurred license plate compared to an image where the image has been enhanced to show the numbers and letters.
Patrolby Edited by StaffNovember 25, 2025

Amped Highlights Power Behind Amped FIVE Software

Amped FIVE empowers you to advance your investigations with confidence and precision, from the crime scene all the way to the courtroom.

Read More →
Background orange tinted image of southern California with pushpin marking Burbank. Headline reads K-9 Killed by Gunman, Burbank Police Department
PatrolNovember 24, 2025

Police K-9 Killed, Suspect Dies in Shootout with Cops

A Burbank Police Department K-9 was fatally shot over the weekend by a passenger who fled on foot from a traffic stop. The armed suspect was killed in a shootout with officers.

Read More →
Thumbnail image with blue and red police lights against a black background, large POLICE logo, headline for From the Show Floor: InVeris
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 23, 2025

From the Show Floor: InVeris

In this video, learn about how InVeris provides training to law enforcement, including customized augmented reality scenarios. The augmented reality system can scan up to 10,000 square feet of real-life environments and create a curriculum based on those spaces.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Thumbnail image for video series POLICE From the Show Floor featuring Polaris Government & Defense.
Patrolby Wayne ParhamNovember 19, 2025

From the Show Floor: Polaris Government & Defense

Learn about Polaris Government & Defense in this video as POLICE visits their show booth to discover their side-by-sides and the advantages they provide for agencies.

Read More →
2026 ford police brochure
SponsoredNovember 17, 2025

2026 Ford Pro™ Police & Special Service Vehicles Guide is Available for Download

Ford Pro™ meets the needs of law-enforcement agencies

Read More →
black background width image of police lights in middle and headline Dashcam Video Officers rescue Man from Burning Car
PatrolNovember 17, 2025

Dashcam Video Shows Officers Rescue Man from Burning Car

Dashcam video released by a New Jersey police department shows two of its officers rescuing an unconscious man from a burning car after a crash.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
blue background with image of a red dot sight and also second image of the red dot on a handgun lower right
PatrolNovember 17, 2025

Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT Named Red Dot of the Year

The Aimpoint COA optic + A-CUT system has been named Red Dot of the Year by Guns & Ammo magazine. The new optic system was introduced in January 2025.

Read More →