Massacre At Colorado Theater

Early this morning 14 12 people were killed and at least 60 were injured after a gunman opened fire at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colorado.

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. 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. 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.

I’ll update this post as details emerge.

UPDATE: President Obama has issued a statement.

“Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my Administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time. We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people, and caring for those who have been wounded. As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors, and we must stand together with them in the challenging hours and days to come.”

UPDATE II: Predictable.