Friday, July 20, 2012

12 Dead Scores Wounded In Movie Theater Massacre

Twelve people were killed and at least 50 others wounded early Friday when a gunman wearing a bullet-proof vest opened fire during a midnight screening of the latest Batman movie near Denver, authorities and witnesses said.

The victims being treated in at least six hospitals included a 6-year-old. The youngest person treated was a 4-month-old baby, who has been released. The oldest reported patient is 45.

Authorities said the gunman had appeared at the front of the theater during the film and released a canister of tear gas. Witnesses told reporters that the gunfire erupted during a shootout scene in "The Dark Knight Rises."
Read the rest here.
Note: This is breaking news so the text at the linked site will likely change as the story is updated.

Prayers for all involved.

5 comments:

Emilie said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
sjgmore said...

My prayers certainly go out to the victims of this heinous act. God have mercy on the dead, and grant comfort to the grieving.

And, maybe it's not right to say it, but situations like this are the only ones where I feel like the death penalty should be administered swiftly, and without hesitation. I hate the death penalty, and I'm a staunch supporter of fair trials, but prosecutors should be allowed to compile a jury, bring the case before a judge, and let the man prepare a defense with whatever he can conjure up in about a week. Then after the inevitable guilty verdict... a short drop and a sudden stop, so to speak.

It sickens me to think that the real victimization is only beginning, as this shooter will now torment the survivors and the families of the victims with legal proceedings that will drag on for years, followed by years more of occasional TV interviews where he can bask in the limelight of what he's done. Just strap him to the chair and have an end of it... that would be justice, here.

...Sorry, I originally posted this under my wife's account.

LV said...

The dispatchers in my town are all sending cards to the dispatchers in Aurora. That's a hard, hard job and their calm and professionalism in situations like this aren't always appreciated. They and the first responders need our prayers as we remember the victims and families.

Visibilium said...

The shooter had been dressed for combat, as if he'd reasonably expected his targets to throw some lead back at him, but he had chosen a normal theater occupied by helpless unarmed victims. Between the armour, mag capacity, gas, and mask, this over-engineered affair reeks of an anal-retentive pussy.

off2 said...

Per one of the AM commentators this afternoon, the shooter has been on psychotropics since sixth grade.

Bill, tGf