Questions remain over mass shooting at Batman screening in Colo.

Updated 8:54 PM ET

(CBS/AP) AURORA, Colo. - A gunman clad in body armor and wearing a gas mask opened fire on moviegoers at a midnight showing of the latest Batman movie Friday, killing 12 and injuring dozens more in one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history.

The violent and chaotic scene erupted at about 12:30 a.m. local time as the suspected gunman, identified as 24-year-old James Holmes, stood at the front of one of the Century 16 theaters at the Aurora Mall where "The Dark Knight Rises" was playing. Witnesses reported that the gunman entered the theater through an emergency exit door and authorities said he threw two gas canisters before opening fire.

"Then it was a blur," Spenser Sherman told "CBS This Morning" said. "Then I heard a couple gunshots."

"I thought it was part of the movie, like a fun little prank - that it would be over in a few seconds. It obviously wasn't."

Aurora shooting witnesses describe panic, chaos
Suspect in Colo. movie-theater shooting identified shooting

She said she only saw a silhouette of the suspect, and that the gunman said nothing.

James Holmes, age 24, is in custody after shooting during a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colo.

/ University of Colorado Denver

"Everybody had dropped to the floor after the first couple gunshots, and then he fired some more. And then after that, there was a pause in the gunshots. Some people say he was reloading, I don't know. But at that point, my boyfriend was like 'This is the time, we need to go, we need to get out of the theater right now.' So we ran."

Aurora Police chief Dan Oates had earlier said a total of 71 people were shot, including the dead. Of the 59 people wounded, some were critically injured, though Oates couldn't give an exact figure.

Jennifer Seeger told CBS station KCNC the suspect first fired up towards the ceiling, as if to scare people, and then started spraying the audience. He pointed the gun directly at her; she ducked. "He had a gas mask on so I couldn't see his face," she said. "All I smelled was gunpowder in the air, and gas was getting to me."

The suspect marched up the aisle in the stadium-style theater, picking off those who tried to flee, witnesses said. Authorities said he hit 71 people. One of them was struck in an adjacent theater by gunfire that went through the wall.

"He would reload and shoot and anyone who would try to leave would just get killed," said Seeger, adding that bullet casings landed on her head and burned her forehead.

An Aurora Police officer talks on his radio outside of the Century 16 theater at Aurora Mall where as many as 14 people were killed and many injured at a shooting at the Century 16 movie theatre in Aurora, Colo., Friday, July 20, 2012.

/ AP Photo/Ed Andrieski

Within minutes, frantic 911 calls brought some 200 police officers, ambulances and emergency crews to the theater. Holmes was captured in the parking lot. Police said they later found that his nearby apartment was booby-trapped.

Authorities gave no motive for the attack. The FBI said there was no indication of ties to any terrorist groups.

Holmes wore body armor, used an assault rifle, a shotgun and a Glock handgun, Oates said. He said investigators are confident the gunman acted alone. A second Glock handgun was found in Holmes' car. All the guns were purchased legally between May 22 and July 6 at three Colorado stores, CBS News correspondent Bob Orr reports.

FBI agents and police also discovered Holmes' apartment was booby trapped. Authorities evacuated five buildings as they determined how to disarm flammable and explosive material.

"It's something I've never seen before," Oates said.

CBS News has learned that some loud music blaring from Holmes' apartment around the time of the attack allegedly was designed to draw a noise complaint from a neighbor, thus luring police into his residence, sparking a firebomb and diverting resources from the movie theater.

A federal law enforcement official said the suspect bought a ticket and went into the theater as part of the crowd. He is believed to have propped open an exit door as the movie was playing, put on protective ballistic gear and opened fire. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.

Police use a video camera to look inside an apartment where the suspect in a shooting at a movie theatre lived in Aurora, Colo., Friday, July 20, 2012. As many as 12 people were killed and 50 injured at a shooting at the Century 16 movie theatre early Friday during the showing of the latest Batman movie.

/ AP Photo/Ed Andrieski

After initially cooperating with police, Holmes has since gone quiet, leaving authorities still searching for a possible motive, Orr reports. Police confirmed that he had dyed his hair red, CBS News senior correspondent John Miller reports. New York City Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said Holmes told authorities he was "the Joker," a reference to one of Batman's arch-enemies. Kelly didn't reveal the source of his information, but he is reportedly close to Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates, who is an NYPD veteran.

Federal law enforcement officials said there is no indication it is terrorism-related.

Authorities started to remove the bodies from the theater on Friday afternoon. Officials wheeled a black bag on a stretcher out of the front entrance, placing it in the back of a minivan. Ten people died in the theater, while two others died from their injuries later.

Aurora police say victims are still being identified and not all the families have been notified.

Jessica Ghawi, a sports blogger also known as Jessica Redfield, is among the dead, her brother confirmed.

Jordan Ghawi told The Associated Press his sister's death comes as a "complete and utter shock."

Ghawi recently wrote of leaving a Toronto mall moments before a June 2 shooting that left one dead and seven injured.

Jessica Ghawi - an aspiring broadcaster who loved hockey - escaped mass shooting in Toronto a month ago, but lost her life in Aurora massacre.

/ CBS News

Jordan Ghawi said on his website that a man who was with his sister at the theater described the chaos, saying he and Jessica Ghawi dropped to take cover when the gunman first started shooting. Jessica Ghawi was shot in the leg, her brother wrote, describing details relayed to him by a man identified on the blog only as a mutual friend named Brent.

Jessica Ghawi began screaming when she was shot, and the man with her tried to calm her and stop the bleeding, according to Jordan Ghawi.

The man was then shot, but he continued attending to Jessica Ghawi's wound before he realized she had stopped screaming, Jordan Ghawi stated. The man said Jessica Ghawi had been shot in the head.

Some of the injured were children, with the youngest a 3-month-old baby who has been released from treatment. Victims were being treated for chemical exposure apparently related to canisters thrown by the gunman.

The Pentagon said three military members - one sailor and two airmen - were wounded in the incident. Another sailor remained unaccounted for. Aurora is home to a large Defense Department satellite intelligence operation at Buckley Air Force Base.

The nature of the attack suggests it was well planned. The suspect's vehicle was parked at the rear of the complex, near the emergency exit where he was reported to have entered from.

57 Photos

Shooting rampage in Colo. theater

Those who knew Holmes described him as a shy, intelligent person raised in California by parents who were active in their well-to-do suburban neighborhood in San Diego. Holmes played soccer at Westview High School and ran cross-country before going to college.

On Friday morning, police escorted Holmes' father, a manager of a software company, from their home while his mother, a nurse, stayed inside, receiving visitors who came to offer support. Holmes also has a younger sister.

"As you can understand, the Holmes family is very upset about all of this," Lt. Andra Brown, the San Diego police spokeswoman, told reporters in the driveway of the family home. "It's a tragic event and it's taken everyone by surprise. They are definitely trying to work through this."

Police released a statement from his family that said: "Our hearts go out to those who were involved in this tragedy and to the families and friends of those involved."

There have been no indications so far that Holmes had any run-ins with the law before Friday.

Tom Mai, a retired electrical engineer, said Holmes was a "shy guy" who came from a "very, very nice family."

Holmes graduated from University of California, Riverside, in the spring of 2010 a bachelor's degree in neuroscience, a school spokesman said. Mai said the mother told him Holmes couldn't find a job after earning a master's degree and returned to school.

In 2011, he enrolled in the Ph.D. neuroscience program at the University of Colorado-Denver but was in the process of withdrawing, a university spokeswoman said.

Holmes lived in an apartment in Aurora, and FBI agents and police who went there discovered it was booby-trapped when they used a camera at the end of a 12-foot pole to look inside.

It was the worst mass shooting in the U.S. since the Nov. 5, 2009 attack at Fort Hood, Texas, when an Army psychiatrist killed 13 soldiers and civilians and more than two dozen others wounded.

• no previous page
• next

1/2

[Papa501]

For the sake of starting a debate on the subject of gun control. I thought it would be a good Idea to post the Second amendment of the constitution.

Amendment II

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

"Which I agree with." But, someone please help me understand, where in this amendment does it include automatic rifles that are only meant as a means to kill as many people as possible in a short time frame.

When I have had discussions with people in the past. they get really passionate! Some even mad enough to want to fight with me. Most on the opposite side of my opinion, seem to be worried about the government taking "all" their guns away and if they did that, how would we be able to protect ourselves? My answer back, we use the most powerful weapon we have, " by voting".

For me. I'm more worried about all the paranoid, "nut cases", out there that have assault rifles with clips that hold enough ammunition to shoot 70+ people, like what happen this week, rather than our government taking away my pistols and hunting rifles.

I know there are two sides to this subject and would like to hear from both to help me understand why we should allow someone to own an automatic rifle/rifles that are only meant to kill as many human beings as possible.

Unfortunately, we have turned into a society of people that think you are either with me or against me and if you are against me, you are my enemy. I would like to think we can work out our differences on this hard subject and come up with a solution we can all "live" with.

[wayinslc]

This guy shot all of those people and took their lives away. Wouldn't it be right if he was shot in a firing squad. Ca-mon Colorado courts, do the right thing and put this nut in front of the firing squad. It could prevent a copy cat from doing a similiar crime.

[Luv83864]

Read this comment and couldn't agree more. I live 40 miles from Canadian border, my in law is Canadian lives in Nelson. She is a well known real estate agent very successful agent. It rather rare in this part of the country especially to be as successful as she is and independent. The things we have learned while visiting her in Nelson, about the way the government, healthcare, police and laws work are so simple. They work so well I can't phantom why the US isnt following suite. Canada isn't having the same issues we are. They aren't having mass murdering, mass economic crisis, insurance and health problems, hospitals and doctors aren't turning people away, and let's not get started on drugs. Some of the tactics Canada has put into place are simple and easy to follow. I know if others didn't have guns and I didn't have to worry about my crazy old kidnapper coming with a gun I wouldn't feel the need to have a gun for protection myself. Also when ever I am in Nelson I feel so safe. The community feels safe. The people feel safe, warming, comforting. I have never seen a bar fight, or even anger portrayed in the lake ski hill or bar. I don't know something is different for sure. Why doesn't US look at Canada for role model?

[Regur44]

Colorado HAS the death penalty. If it fails to apply it swiftly in this case then shame on the politicians and courts in that state. This guy is evil and should be removed from the earth so the victims and their families can try to move on with their lives as difficult as that will be

[EmpireGeorge______--]

by TimeToEvolve July 20, 2012 10:04 PM EDT

And able to legally buy weapons at three gun shops.
_____________

Well yeah, of course, because we all have a right to bear arms, according to the Constitution. (2nd Amendment to the Constitution)

DO you come and ask me for permission to exercise your free speech, or do you need the government telling you what you can and can't say, even during your "protests" ??

Or are you freely able to buy your speech at three San Fran shops ?

so of course our rights are freely accessible.....and that's why our government trust the people with this right, where many other countries don't.

"The Constitution preserves the advantage of being armed which Americans possess over the people of almost every other nation ... (where) the governments are afraid to trust the people with arms." -James Madison, Federalist Paper No. 46.

[EmpireGeorge______--]

erasmus111, take guns out of the equation, my comment still stands......WE tell our government what to do, NOT the other way around....you are used to that in Canada,and in the UK, and elsewhere, where governements make the rules, tell you what to do, what you can't do....this ISN'T what America is like.......so we are unique in that aspect, where other governments don't trust their people, ours trust the citizens, because our government is Of, For and By the people.......THIS is the concept, I'm trying to get you to understand, not some wacky need for a gun, which Isn't my point at all......everyone here doesn't live in fear, everyone doesn't carry guns.....you have this very "warped" view of America, that has been created by excessive sensationalism, on radio and tv, and internet.......people aren't walking around with guns, it's not the wild west.....it's normal, like your area....people going about their business, without fear, we aren't being "shot up" or shooting each other.....you have just gotten a wrong impression.

Do we read a lot of these articles and this happening, yes, but it's only because we have access to more media, that it appears this happens all the time, when it doesn't.....it is rare

[erasmus111]

George, you say I'm getting the wrong impression? I think not. I can read. Are you saying that all these mass murders being reported by the media aren't true? Are you saying that the reports about all the children dying from guns aren't true? There has been a steady increase over the years. It is happening more and more every day. Because you idiots are so obsessed with your guns, you have blinders on. You don't WANT to see it, so therefore, in your minds, the problems doesn't exist.

You say you are UNIQUE, and that is a good thing? You are delusional. The fact that all other countries have health care for ALL their citizens should tell you something about yourselves. The fact that you are way down on the list for having a good educational system should tell you something. You have kids that are graduating and can't read! You have people that can't find their own freakin' country on a map! You have people that think ALL of Canada lives in igloos!

I will say it again, our government does not tell us what we can and can't do. If we did not want this health care system, we wouldn't have this health care system. If every one wanted a gun, we would have a gun. There is nothing stopping us from getting one. It might take a bit longer to get one than you guys, but that's because we want to make it harder for the whackjobs to get one. Something you idiots can't manage to do.

Your country is ruled over by the corrupt corporations. Your insurance companies are corrupt and rule over your doctors. Your doctors can't do anything without their permission. So, if they don't want to pay for your surgery, you ain't getting it.

Our doctors act on their own. They don't need to bow down to the insurance corporations or the government. What they say goes. They look out for OUR best interests. And the government looks out for our best interests. That is what they are being paid to do. We tell them what we want and they LISTEN. I think what you find so hard is the fact that the majority of Canada is UNITED, something yours is not.

About a month ago I read that Canada was #1 for being the best country in the world for women. For equality and wages etc. And we are usually in the top 3 for most other things. You, on the other hand are usually way down on the list.

In your country, women make way less than men, and black people make way less than white people.

You really have a mental problem if you think that being UNIQUE is a good thing, because your country, at this point in time, is way behind the times. Like I always say, you are still living in the DARK AGES. Lack of good health care for all, sky high prices for medical procedures and drugs (and you can't even guarantee that the drugs are what they are supposed to be). You have to shop around for a decent hospital because picking the wrong one could kill you.

Oh, and then there is the major racism. Still dragging black people behind trucks. Way less wages for black people. Segregated schools and neighborhoods. Yup, you're unique, alright. Something to really be proud of too!

So, living in Canada gives EVERYONE health care, a great educational system, equality for women, a say in what happens in our country,....the only thing missing is them thar guns. Hmmm, now let's see what the consequences for that is. Less gun crime. Able to walk down the street without worrying about getting shot. Masses of people getting killed is a rare occasion and doesn't happen every other day. You know, I think we are functioning quite well without them. : ) We haven't been BRAINWASHED into thinking they solve all our problems. We all have brains and common sense and seem to be able to look after ourselves and protect ourselves without them.

[greydriver53]

I don't think it would have made any difference if any movie patron in the theater had been armed at the time. This guy was armored-up like a walking tank. To shoot at hime wouldn't have done a thing. Not to mention that Colorado has some pretty strict gun laws and to implement more gun control won't help at all. We should figure out a way to ban lunatics.

[Luv83864]

Your probably right. It only takes one shot though, one move and some people lives could be spared. I do believe however in this situation you are most likely right. Do I think having security at theaters is the answer as some suggested is the answer? No. Would I have taken a shot if I was there, I can say it would have been hard to watch and not try but then again I don't know unless I was there. Would I have had my gun realistically? Probably not. I would have been on vacation, 4 states from home and felt safer then usual. If I am correct in what I read that police were on scene in a minute and a half I also do believe that response time is pretty incrediable. How it went down from then on I have not found information. Unfortunately people like him come prepared to die or defend and hurt as many as possible on the way, I am thankful he went out with out hurting more, still makes me wonder why. I wonder whynhe didnt kill himself, is that selfish or is he scared? He is obviously scared yes. He is very intelligent and knew jail was a consequence. Wonder why spending life in jail was worth that horrific destruction of society. It sickens me to think this is our reality, I look out at the beautiful lake, so calm, peaceful, the kids laughing and playing, the birds chirping and think of what I am typing about. From what I have read he has not given answers, will his answers matter. To me, I would like to know, I wonder if someone like him will have real true answers or will he seemingly just be playing with the human race some more. I wish everyone affected and feeling loss, ask for help, take help offered and you are not alone. We even strangers ar where to help you. I. Will help you in whatever I can.

[Luv83864]

I will watch it. I guess the moral to what I am saying is if I am with another even my son (infant/toddler) it could even even be my grand mother, best friend, sisters or friends. I feel safer with people, less vulnerable. Its alot harder to take two people then one. Keep two quiet then one, to fight two then one. I feel more vulnerable alone which I am sure I am, after all when I was attacked the first time I was alone, when he attacked and kidnapped me the second time I was alone. These helpless victims were helpless because of surprise. It in itself can be the one thing that throws everything. Has those people in the movie theater had even three minutes to plan I believe they could have had better outcome. I love somewhere really safe compared to the rest of the US and this act did not happen here. I want to know ow come we can't turn our energy toward the victims and away from the miserable person who has hurt so many innocent families. Why is this so hard Media? Even if this means having enough respect to turn out for a little while, is that so much to ask.

[JaqDeath]

He could have committed this said act just to satisfy his own interest and fascination... to put an end to his own curiosity. Is he testing himself to see how vast his intellect (...intellect... another word does not break the surface of my mind...even so, I feel there is something else to take its place) really is? Or... is he testing the population (society), wondering just how they might react? (I wonder...did he study the crowd's individual faces as he doused them with bullets? Was he hoping to grasp their frantic emotions in those few moments?) He seems a rather intelligent man; I'm sure he knew he would be caught. This man... I'm sure he could have escaped if he really wanted to. However, a jail cell seems more pleasing than constantly looking over my shoulder, running to keep this "freedom" I have alive.

Is he pleased with what he has gained? These new experiences, this new knowledge... were they worth "throwing the rest of his life away?"

How very peculiar, indeed.

[Luv83864]

This s war with ourselves. Our gangs are at war with each other day in day out. The press choices not to report on this. I live somewhere simple. Somewhere gangs don't exist. Thank God, somewhere guns are used to fill our freezers for the winter. Somewhere the us shines for six more weeks and we start surviving and preparing for winter. Guns here are almost a necessity for hunting, protection from animals, wolves, bear, cayotes eating live stock and much more. The grizzly bear that might wander down to elk game and needs to be scared up into the deeper forest. We need our guns. I couldn't agree more, guns need to be locked down, who has them , why they have them , where they have, what Kind do they have? How many have they bought in this time period? This character having an assault riffle in downtown Auoroa for no real purpose exhibited seems inapproprate if we had rules or regulations that governed or even made awareness of this...if this was public information and his mother knew? Would this have hanged something? Who knows? She might. He's is 24, he may have been deeply in pain and needed help that seems obvious that he was disturbed to want to harm and kill others. The guns though are just harmless guns until they are the hands of the wrong person, just like a car is just a harmless car until a drunk driver gets in and kills someone. Guns don't kill, people kill. Cars don't kill, drunk drivers kill people. More rules, regulations, on GUNS yes.