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Suspect in custody wearing gasmask, bulletproof vest, rifle AK47 and 2 handguns
AURORA – There is one suspect in custody after 14 people [rev. down to 12 – Oui] were shot and killed at the Century 16 Movie Theaters at the Aurora Town Center. There were at least 50 people injured to Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates. Oates says 10 died at the theater and some died at the area hospital.
Nicole Williams, with Swedish Medical Center, says the hospital was allerted to a mass casualty incident at 1:15 a.m. Friday. Williams says the hospital was told to prepare for at least 20 patients.
According to witnesses, the shooter kicked in the emergency exit door in theater 9, threw some sort of disorienting smoke bombs and started shooting.
Update [2012-7-20 8:28:4 by Oui]: Suspect’s name: James Holmes, 24, of North Aurora, was apprehended at the scene clad in a bullet-proof vest and riot helmet.
12 shot dead at ‘Dark Knight Rises’ screening in Aurora, Colorado
(MSNBC) – Updated at 5:59 a.m. ET – At least 12 people were killed early Friday when at least one gunman opened fire at a midnight screening of the summer blockbuster “The Dark Knight Rises” near Denver, authorities and witnesses said.
NBC station KUSA cited a witness as seeing a black-clad 6-foot-tall man wearing a riot helmet, goggles and bullet-proof vest. The witness and her boyfriend crawled to the emergency exit.
The suspect was found in possession of a gas mask and two firearms, Oates said. The police chief said there was no evidence of additional shooters. The suspect made a statement to police about possible explosives at his home, Oates said. An apartment building in north Aurora has been evacuated, Oates said.
Witnesses told reporters that gunfire erupted during a shootout scene. “A lot of people thought the gunshots were part of the movie.” Tear gas also went off in the theater, Stuart said. She added that bullets had passed from one theater into an adjoining one.
Town Center at Aurora – White-only Clientele
AURORA, CO. (Wikipedia) – In 2003, the mall announced a major two-part renovation with a cost of approximately $100 million. The first part consisted of a remodeling of the Foley’s department store, to a Dillard’s that replaced the former anchor. The second part involved the rest of the mall, including the construction of a new food court, re-pavement, and other site upgrades. The renovation project was completed in 2005, and the mall reopened under its new name as Town Center at Aurora.
During the renovation project, a controversy arose regarding one of mall management’s new focus on attracting a white-only clientele. A top leasing agent was recorded in a conversation with a tenant, who served food that apparently catered to an ethnic minority. The conversation seemed to provide the mall’s new direction after renovations were complete: to discourage people of an ethnic minority from shopping there. City officials quickly condemned the “racist” views, and demanded an apology from Simon’s management; no apology has yet been given. [Correction: Aurora Mall Owners Issue Apology To Minorities – Oui]
"But I will not let myself be reduced to silence."