14 dead, 50 wounded in shooting at Colorado theater

[durrrrrrrr]

I heard about this , this morning. rips my heart out


(CNN) -- At least 14 people were killed and 50 wounded when a gunman opened fire during an early Friday morning screening of the new Batman movie at an Aurora, Colorado, theater, Police Chief Dan Oates told reporters.

The heavily armed suspect, who was wearing a bulletproof vest, was apprehended by police in a rear parking lot of the theater, Frank Fania, a police spokesman, told CNN. The suspect was not immediately identified, though Fania said he was believed to be in his early 20s.

"He did not resist. He did not put up a fight," Fania said. Police seized a rifle and a handgun from the suspect, and another gun was found in the theater, he said.

KMGH: Mass shooting inside Aurora movie theater
Video: Chaos at theater shooting scene
Police describe Batman shooting scene

Oates said there was no evidence of a second gunman.

Chaos broke out during the showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" at the Century Aurora 16 theater when the shooting began, police and witnesses said.

"We saw people running around and screaming," a man, who was not identified, told CNN affiliate KUSA.

KUSA: One person in custody

He said there was confusion in the theater when the shooting began because many believed the sound of gunfire was coming from the movie.

Oates said that the suspect used some sort of "smoke device" before opening fire in the theater.

Witnesses told KUSA that the gunman kicked in an emergency exit door and threw a smoke bomb into the darkened theater before opening fire.

One movie-goer, who was not identified, told KUSA the gunman was wearing a gas mask when he released a smoke bomb and then began moving through the theater, randomly shooting at people.

Cell phone video taken by someone at the theater showed scores of people screaming and fleeing the building. Some had blood on their clothes.

One police officer carried a girl believed to be about 9 with gunshot wound to her back out of the theater, a witness said. "She wasn't moving."

Authorities have also evacuated the suspect's Aurora apartment building after "he made a statement about explosives" in his unit, Oates said.

KWGN: Witnesses first thought gunfire was part of movie

Of the wounded, at least 20 were being treated at the University of Colorado Hospital, said spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery. All of the wounded suffered from gunshot wounds, which ranged from minor to critical, she said.

"They're arriving by police, by ambulance. Some are walking in," she said.

Ten people were killed in the theater and another four died at area hospitals, Oates said.

Hundreds of police officers descended on the theater, and the FBI has joined the investigation.

"We were calling for help from every police and fire agency," Fania said.

[justkim]

First counts were wrong. 12 dead. No matter the count people being killed is just fricken wrong. Fox 31 out of Denver is running video of the FBI breaking windows at the suspects apartment. They have yet to enter since they believe that it may possibly be booby trapped. WTF is the matter with people?

[Heavenleahangel]

I've been trying to keep up with this story all day today. I am sooo losing faith in humanity and the inhabitants of this earth.
While I am devastated this has happened, some of the victims being children is even harder to bear. One family was on the news talking about escaping with their 4 year old and 4 MONTH old baby. Who brings a baby to a theater like this where it is loud? It doesn't justify being shot at! Just senseless on so many levels.
I just don't know how the human race will be in oh, 20, 50, 100 years....

[Leigh]

This just made me shake my head ~ how senseless is this? Very of course, and I feel so horrible for all of the victims of this heinous crime

[aishah]

to god we belong and to her we return. praying for the victims, their families, and the first responders.

[Glenn]

I am wondering why nobody returned fire and be willing to defend themselves and others.