Attack may have been planned for months, police say

Written By Unknown on Saturday, July 21, 2012 | 4:10 PM

James Holmes, 24, was identified by two federal law enforcement officers as the man who opened fire during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" at an Aurora, Colorado, theater early Friday. At least 12 people were killed and 38 wounded, Police Chief Dan Oates said.James Holmes, 24, was identified by two federal law enforcement officers as the man who opened fire during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" at an Aurora, Colorado, theater early Friday. At least 12 people were killed and 38 wounded, Police Chief Dan Oates said.
Police break the apartment window of James Holmes, the suspect of a movie theatre shooting Friday in Aurora, Colorado.Police break the apartment window of James Holmes, the suspect of a movie theatre shooting Friday in Aurora, Colorado.
An ambulance is parked outside. Of the wounded, at least 20 were being treated at the University of Colorado Hospital, said spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery. "They're arriving by police, by ambulance. Some are walking in," she said.An ambulance is parked outside. Of the wounded, at least 20 were being treated at the University of Colorado Hospital, said spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery. "They're arriving by police, by ambulance. Some are walking in," she said.
Agents search the suspect's car outside the theater.Agents search the suspect's car outside the theater.
People grieve during a vigil for victims behind the theater where a gunman opened fire on moviegoers in Aurora on Friday.People grieve during a vigil for victims behind the theater where a gunman opened fire on moviegoers in Aurora on Friday.
A woman grieves during a vigil for victims behind the theater.A woman grieves during a vigil for victims behind the theater.
A distraught woman is counseled by Pastor Quincy Shannon, left, of the New Hope Fellowship and an unidentified advocate in front of Gateway High School in Aurora, Colorado, where the families of the missing are meeting following the shooting at the Century 16 movie theater.A distraught woman is counseled by Pastor Quincy Shannon, left, of the New Hope Fellowship and an unidentified advocate in front of Gateway High School in Aurora, Colorado, where the families of the missing are meeting following the shooting at the Century 16 movie theater.
Lin Gan wipes away her tears as her mother, Juan Gan, guides her to their car after meeting with counselors at the Gateway High School in Aurora on Friday.Lin Gan wipes away her tears as her mother, Juan Gan, guides her to their car after meeting with counselors at the Gateway High School in Aurora on Friday.
Lin Gan, of Aurora, Colorado, holds back tears as she speaks to reporters about her experience in the Century 16 theater on Friday.Lin Gan, of Aurora, Colorado, holds back tears as she speaks to reporters about her experience in the Century 16 theater on Friday.
People embrace before a vigil for victims behind the theater where a gunman opened fire on moviegoers in Aurora on Firday.People embrace before a vigil for victims behind the theater where a gunman opened fire on moviegoers in Aurora on Firday.
The car belonging to the suspect is removed from behind the theater where the shooting took place on Friday.The car belonging to the suspect is removed from behind the theater where the shooting took place on Friday.
Investigators work on evidence near the apartment of of James Holmes on Friday.Investigators work on evidence near the apartment of of James Holmes on Friday.
Memebers of the Aurora Police Department. SWAT walk near the apartment of James Holmes. Police have Holmes,24, of North Aurora in custody.Memebers of the Aurora Police Department. SWAT walk near the apartment of James Holmes. Police have Holmes,24, of North Aurora in custody.
Television news crews gather in front of the home of Robert and Arlene Holmes, parents of 24-year-old mass shooting suspect James Holmes, in San Diego, California. on Friday.Television news crews gather in front of the home of Robert and Arlene Holmes, parents of 24-year-old mass shooting suspect James Holmes, in San Diego, California. on Friday.
A popcorn box lies on the ground outside the Century 16 movie theatre.A popcorn box lies on the ground outside the Century 16 movie theatre.
An NYPD officer keeps watch inside an AMC move theater where the film "The Dark Knight Rises" is playing in Times Square on Friday. NYPD is maintaining security around city movie theaters following the deadly rampage in Aurora, Colorado.An NYPD officer keeps watch inside an AMC move theater where the film "The Dark Knight Rises" is playing in Times Square on Friday. NYPD is maintaining security around city movie theaters following the deadly rampage in Aurora, Colorado.
Police break a window of the apartment of Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes on Friday.Police break a window of the apartment of Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes on Friday.
Adariah Legarreta, 4, is comforted by her grandmother Rita Abeyta near the Century 16 Theater in Aurora.Adariah Legarreta, 4, is comforted by her grandmother Rita Abeyta near the Century 16 Theater in Aurora.
A cyclist and pedestrians pass a theater showing the latest Batman movie in Hollywood, California, on Friday. Warner Brothers said it was "deeply saddened" by Friday's massacre at a Colorado screening of "The Dark Knight Rises."A cyclist and pedestrians pass a theater showing the latest Batman movie in Hollywood, California, on Friday. Warner Brothers said it was "deeply saddened" by Friday's massacre at a Colorado screening of "The Dark Knight Rises."
Obama supporters observe a moment of silence for the victims at a campaign event at Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday. Obama supporters observe a moment of silence for the victims at a campaign event at Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday.
Jessica Ghawi, an aspiring sportscaster, was one of the victims.Jessica Ghawi, an aspiring sportscaster, was one of the victims.
A woman waits for news outside Gateway High School, a few blocks from the scene of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16.A woman waits for news outside Gateway High School, a few blocks from the scene of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16.
Aurora police chief Daniel J. Oates speaks at a press conference near the Century 16 Theater on Friday.Aurora police chief Daniel J. Oates speaks at a press conference near the Century 16 Theater on Friday.
Agents search the trash container outside the suspect's apartment in Aurora.Agents search the trash container outside the suspect's apartment in Aurora.
A Federal ATF officer carries protective gear onsite at the home of alleged shooting suspect James Holmes.A Federal ATF officer carries protective gear onsite at the home of alleged shooting suspect James Holmes.
Obama speaks on the shootings at the event in Fort Myers. Obama speaks on the shootings at the event in Fort Myers.
Moviegoers are interviewed at the Century Aurora 16.Moviegoers are interviewed at the Century Aurora 16.
Officers gathered at the theater Friday.Officers gathered at the theater Friday.
Investigators were a common sight at the theater Friday.Investigators were a common sight at the theater Friday.
Authorities gather at the shooting suspect's apartment building in Aurora. Police broke a second-floor window to look for explosives that the suspect claimed were in the apartment. Authorities gather at the shooting suspect's apartment building in Aurora. Police broke a second-floor window to look for explosives that the suspect claimed were in the apartment.
Screaming, panicked moviegoers scrambled to escape from the black-clad gunman, who wore a gas mask and randomly shot as he walked up the theater's steps, witnesses said.Screaming, panicked moviegoers scrambled to escape from the black-clad gunman, who wore a gas mask and randomly shot as he walked up the theater's steps, witnesses said.
University of Colorado Hospital spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery said that all of the wounded had injuries from gunshot wounds, ranging from minor to critical.University of Colorado Hospital spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery said that all of the wounded had injuries from gunshot wounds, ranging from minor to critical.
Onlookers gather outside the Century Aurora 16 theater.
Onlookers gather outside the Century Aurora 16 theater.
A woman sits on top of her car near the crime scene. A woman sits on top of her car near the crime scene.
Police block access to the Town Center mall after the shooting. Police block access to the Town Center mall after the shooting.
Cell phone video taken by someone at the theater showed scores of people screaming and fleeing the building. Some, like this man, had blood on their clothes.
Cell phone video taken by someone at the theater showed scores of people screaming and fleeing the building. Some, like this man, had blood on their clothes.
Witnesses told KUSA that the gunman kicked in an emergency exit door and threw a smoke bomb into the darkened theater before opening fire.Witnesses told KUSA that the gunman kicked in an emergency exit door and threw a smoke bomb into the darkened theater before opening fire.
What is believed to be the suspect's car is examined after the shooting. What is believed to be the suspect's car is examined after the shooting.
Police Chief Dan Oates said there was no evidence of a second gunman, and FBI spokesman Jason Pack said it did not appear the incident was related to terrorism.
Police Chief Dan Oates said there was no evidence of a second gunman, and FBI spokesman Jason Pack said it did not appear the incident was related to terrorism.
Repubican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney delivers remarks regarding the shooting in an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater on Friday at a campaign event in Bow, New Hampshire. Repubican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney delivers remarks regarding the shooting in an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater on Friday at a campaign event in Bow, New Hampshire.
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  • At least 30 people remain hospitalized, including 11 in critical condition, governor says
  • Police say the suspected gunman booby-trapped his apartment before leaving for the theater
  • Police postponed until Saturday any attempt to enter the suspect's apartment

(CNN) -- There were few answers Saturday to the motive of a suspect who allegedly identified himself as "the Joker" after opening fire during a screening of the new Batman sequel at a Colorado movie theater.

Investigators have said little about what led suspect James E. Holmes to allegedly kill 12 people and wound 58 others during a rampage early Friday morning at a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora.

As police began the process of notifying the families of those killed, authorities grappled with how to collect possible evidence from an apartment that Holmes allegedly booby-trapped before leaving for the theater.

Police evacuated hundreds of residents from five apartment buildings, including the one where Holmes lived, after he allegedly told them he had rigged his one-bedroom with explosives.

"It is a very vexing problem how to enter that apartment safely. I personally have never seen anything like what the pictures show us is in there," Police Chief Dan Oates told reporters.

"I see an awful lot of wire, trip wires, jars full of ammunition, jars full of liquid and ... things that look like mortar rounds."

A bomb disposal squad postponed until at least Saturday any attempt to enter the apartment.

With the help of the federal government, Oates said the police department was bringing in "extra resources to consult on exactly how to deal with the problem."

Holmes was dressed head-to-toe in black tactical gear, authorities said. He had colored his hair red and told police he was "the Joker" after he was arrested in the rear parking lot of the theater minutes after the shooting, according to a federal law enforcement source with knowledge of the investigation. The source was not authorized to release details to the media.

As investigators piece together the events that unfolded inside the Century Aurora 16, witnesses and police dispatch recordings paint a picture of a horror film brought to life.

Ten people were killed inside the theater while two others died at hospitals. By Friday night, the bodies were removed from the theater and authorities started "the agonizing process" of notifying families, Oates said.

Witnesses to the shooting described him as wearing a gas mask that concealed much of his face and head.

The federal law enforcement source's information about the suspect's appearance fits with a statement made to reporters by New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who said he was briefed by Colorado authorities in the aftermath of Friday's shooting.

Oates declined to release details about Holmes' appearance other than to describe what he was wearing, and said he would not release his booking photo "for investigative reasons."

He said the man was wearing a ballistic helmet and protective gear for his legs, throat and groin, black gloves and a gas mask.

The Joker has long been a fixture in Batman comics and was famously brought to life by the late Heath Ledger in 2008's "The Dark Knight," the predecessor to Friday's release of "The Dark Knight Rises." Ledger won a posthumous Academy Award for his sinister portrayal of the iconic villain who encourages anarchists to take over Gotham City.

The shooting unfolded inside a darkened theater packed with Batman fans, some in costume for the premiere of the movie.

Screaming, panicked moviegoers scrambled to escape from the black-clad gunman, who shot at random as he walked up the theater's steps, witnesses said.

It was a scene "straight out of a horror film," said Chris Ramos, who was inside the theater. "He was just literally shooting everyone, like hunting season."

Police said Holmes set off two devices of some kind before spraying the theater with bullets from an AR-15 rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and at least one of two .40-caliber handguns police recovered at the scene.

Holmes bought the guns legally at stores in the Denver area over the past two months, Oates said.

More than 6,000 rounds of ammunition were also purchased online, according to Oates.

A receipt obtained by CNN shows Holmes bought some of the tactical gear, including a vest and magazine pouch, online on July 2.

Aurora police said an investigation is under way on how the suspect entered the theater.

A law enforcement source working the investigation told CNN that the gunman walked into the movie theater after purchasing a ticket.

When the movie was under way, he went out a rear exit door, propping it open, and gathered weapons before re-entering through the door, said the source, who was not authorized to release the information.

As Holmes re-entered, he tossed a canister before starting to shoot, according to a second law enforcement source involved in the investigation and several witnesses.

A federal law enforcement official told CNN the man used tear gas, but Oates said Friday it was not clear what substance was in the canister.

Holmes surrendered without resistance within seven minutes of the first calls from panicked moviegoers, Oates said.

The youngest of the injured, a 4-month-old boy, was treated and released from a hospital, the child's mother said.

As of Friday, 30 people remained hospitalized, 11 of them in critical condition, Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper said.

Holmes is scheduled to appear in an Arapahoe County, Colorado, courtroom Monday morning, said Rob McCallum, a spokesman for the Colorado Judicial Department. The court file was sealed, according to a court order. He is being held in the Arapahoe County jail, Oates said.

A statement from Holmes' family in San Diego asked for "privacy during this difficult time."

"Our hearts go out to those who were involved in this tragedy and to the families and friends of those involved," the statement said, adding, "We are still trying to process this information."

CNN's Carol Cratty, Ed Lavandera, Susan Candiotti, Joe Sutton, Mike Brooks, Sarah Aarthun and Jim Spellman contributed to this report.

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