Colo. families pray for missing loved ones after movie theater shooting

Tom Sullivan holds a photograph of his son, Alex Sullivan, as he pleads with the media to help find him, outside Gateway High School, July 20, 2012 in Aurora, Colo. / Barry Gutierrez

(CBS News) Family and friends gathered at a high school nearby the Colorado movie theater where a gunmen opened fire Friday, hoping and praying to find missing loved ones.

Witnesses to the mass shooting at a midnight showing of the latest Batman film in Aurora were brought to Gateway High School by authorities. At least 12 people were killed and dozens more were injured when a gas mask-wearing man sprayed bullets into the crowd shortly after the highly-anticipated movie began.

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Many of the 71 people shot were accounted for at hospitals or on scene, but some parents and relatives showed up to the school Friday morning with hopes of reuniting with kids they were unable to reach. Tom Sullivan held up a flyer of his son, Alex, asking reporters if they had seen him, according to the Associated Press. Alex was celebrating his 27th birthday by attending the premiere.

Tom Sullivan, center, embraces family members outside Gateway High School, July 20, 2012. Sulliavan was searching frantically for his son Alex, who celebrated his 27th birthday by going to see "The Dark Knight Rises."

/ Barry Gutierrez

A witness named Caitlin, who said she was in the theater when the shooting happened, went to her twitter account to say her friend Alex was still missing as of 8 a.m., ET.

Oh God, I don't know what to do.

-- Caitlin (@dingos8myTARDIS) July 20, 2012

Everybody please pray for my friend Alex.

-- Caitlin (@dingos8myTARDIS) July 20, 2012

Thank you for your prayers, everyone. Alex is still missing.

-- Caitlin (@dingos8myTARDIS) July 20, 2012

My friend is still MIA, will post when I have news.

-- Caitlin (@dingos8myTARDIS) July 20, 2012

Byron Settles was also at the school looking for his nephew, Tyrell Hardiman, according to the Associated Press. Settles said it was unusual that Tyrell wasn't at work when he was supposed to be there.

A reporter for the Denver Post tweeted out about the missing nephew, using a different spelling, writing that his uncle was "desperately looking for him."

If anyone knows the whereabouts of Terrell Hardnan, 20,let him know his UncleB is desperately looking for him. #theatershooting @denverpost

-- Kurtis Lee (@kurtisalee) July 20, 2012

Over 12 hours after the chaotic shooting, victims and families were still trying to process and gather facts about the tragedy. One columnist for the Boston Herald, whose Twitter account says she's based in New York City, wrote about a co-worker's brother who was missing.

Best friend lives in Denver + her coworkers brother still missing. Praying he's safe. Makes this terrible thing very concrete + real #aurora

-- Makena Cahill (@MakenaCahill) July 20, 2012

Suspected shooter James Holmes, 24, is in police custody. Authorities said they believe he was the only gunman.

[Jaylah54200]

I wholeheartedly agree with others here who have said that it's unacceptable that victims are still unidentified after this long.

Even if some of the female victims were separated from their purses (where, presumably, they were carrying their IDs), there should have been ONE central place where names (if available) or else descriptions should have been available to families and loved ones.

[midwestkris]

the victims who are still alive are at multiple hospitals, and many in critical condition. Getting their identity is important, but not as important as treating their injuries. Determining the identities of a patients in ICU is not trivial

As to the dead, there are a lot. A sad part of this is that it is unlikely there is enough room at any one place to take them and still treat them with respect.

Sorting out who is alive and who is dead among the missing is not going to be an easy task. Misidentification would be extremely cruel for the families.

Yes, it is hard to wait.

[Molly-Pchr]

knewster-you are a hateful being. I pity you. In your desperation to attack other people's faith, you will say anything even in a situation like this. You're a mess.

[tmn]

Thanks NRA!

[livingtxlife]

Geez - let's work on setting up ways to identify people more quickly after an emergency - this is totally unacceptable! My heart goes out to those family members.

[Choons]

How can people be "missing" ?? I'd be surprised if anyone in the theater was without ID. I would hope every city has some kind of plan in place that gathers the names of victims from area hospitals so that family members can locate their loved ones after a disaster. If they can't handle an event where some 60-70 people are affected, I'd hate to see what would happen for something like a tornado or flood.

[midwestkris]

In the chaos, I am sure people got separated from their ids..purses dropped, cell phones dropped...in the hosptials, treating the injuries takes precedence over going through clothing, and i imagine the hospitals where these patients are being treated are a little overwhelmed...11 in ICU. Such a tragedy.

Even IDs that are avaialbe may be torn, bloody, or otherwise unreadable.

Being sure your are correct with the IDs is more important than being fast.

[Toostie]

This poor Dad's expression say's everything of the pain and heartache this gunman has caused to so many. My prayers and thoughts go out to the victims and their familes and all who were touched by this horrible incident. You are not alone Colorado the enter country is with you and our hearts are breaking for all of you and your state.

[JackMurph547]

I cannot believe this nightmare. I am praying so hard for the victims and their families. This picture of Tom Sullivan is heartbreaking and haunting. I pray for him and his beloved son, Alex. God bless everyone in Aurora. You are in the thoughts, prayers & hearts of the entire US.

[macbeth76]

Why weren't you praying this didn't happen in the first place- seems your god is a total jerk to even let something like this happen- maybe try praying to Mithra or Thor next time, maybe they could prevent it.

[SUZAMBA]

God did not do this, a human being decided to kill and kill he did.
Support the families, that is what is important.

[JackMurph547]

I cannot believe this nightmare. I have been praying all day for the victims and their families. This picture of Tom Sullivan will forever haunt me. I pray for this heartbroken father and his beloved son. PEACE.