Police: Apartment 'set up to kill'

Written By Unknown on Saturday, July 21, 2012 | 4:45 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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  • NEW: The suspect's neighbors are stunned by the shootings
  • NEW: The one-bedroom apartment had "techno-music" blaring
  • NEW: Police say attempts to enter the apartment are postponed until Saturday
  • Robots are sent in to get a better idea of what is inside, a source says

(CNN) -- The Colorado shooting suspect booby-trapped his apartment, posing a problem for authorities who plan to try and gain entry into the unit Saturday, the police chief said.

James Holmes is suspected in a mass shooting early Friday morning during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises" in a crowded movie theater in Aurora.

Authorities postponed to Saturday any attempts to enter the apartment.

"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 said Friday night.

Police evacuated five buildings Friday, including the suspect's block, after he told them shortly after he was arrested in the theater parking lot that he rigged his one-bedroom apartment with explosives.

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

Dozens shot in Colorado theater

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

Police arrived at Holmes' apartment to find "techno-music" blaring from the one-bedroom, according to a law enforcement source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The music was on a timer and apparently started once he left for the movie theater, said the source, who was not authorized to release details of the investigation to the media.

Robots were sent into the apartment Friday and investigators, including members of a bomb disposal unit, are going over the video and other information collected from inside, the source said.

Oates said it could take days to work through the apartment safely.

While authorities did not release an exact number of residents evacuated from the building, the number is estimated to be in the hundreds.

Authorities let families in four of the five evacuated buildings Friday night so that they can retrieve personal items such as medication, identification cards and clothing.

A shelter was set up at Aurora Central High School for those forced from their apartments.

The incident shocked the suspect's neighbors such as Jackie Mitchell, who said he had a beer with him this week.

"Knowing that this guy is down the street at the bar with me drinking beer and he lives right here and I'm on the next block with explosives, that's insane," Mitchell said.

CNN's Susan Candiotti , Chelsea J. Carter and Kyung Lah contributed to this report.

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