By now we have all heard about the shooting at the Century 16 theater in Aurora, CO. I can’t even begin to understand why someone would do something like this. How does hurting and killing people make sense, ever? Life is too short as it is, why would anyone want to make it shorter? This is something I cannot understand no matter how hard I try. My thoughts and prayers go out to everyone involved and affected by this senseless tragedy. I will be observing a moment of silence and thought for all the victims tomorrow morning, Sat. July 21st, at 12:30 A.M. Please join me in doing this.
Now that I have let my personal feelings out, here is what I know about what happened:
At about 12:30 A.M. local time 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 threw a gas canister before opening fire. The suspect first fired up toward the ceiling, as if to scare people, and then started spraying the audience. Police, ambulances and emergency crews swarmed on the scene after frantic calls started flooding the 911 switchboard. Authorities had confirmed 12 deaths Friday morning, but there are reports that a 13th victim has died. Officers found Holmes near a car behind the theater. He surrendered without resistance. Police recovered four guns at the theater – one shotgun, two pistols and what is believed to be an assault rifle. Authorities also recovered a gas mask. The suspect also had a bullet proof vest, ballistic helmet and military SWAT clothing. Authorities were testing unidentified explosives in his vehicle, though their exact nature is unclear. The suspect’s vehicle was parked at the rear of the complex, near the emergency exit where he was reported to have entered from. There’s no evidence of any other attackers. There was also no immediate word of any motive. Police were at Holmes’ Denver-area apartment and confirmed that it was apparently booby-trapped and had evacuated other residents of the building. Police saw what looked like “buckets of extra ammunition” and some kind of chemical inside his home. It could take hours or days to safely enter the apartment.
I truly hope that someday things like this become a thing of the distant past.
BuzzBash 