Active Shooter Event - Aurora
At approximately 12:45a (MDT) on Friday, July 20th, James Holmes, 24, of Aurora, opened fire on movie theater patrons attending a midnight movie screening in this deadly active shooter event. The lone gunman entered the Aurora Mall movie theater through a rear emergency exit and reportedly found a seat in Theater Nine. Eye witnesses report he moved quickly to the front of the theater at the beginning of the movie and threw an unspecified canister, which “popped” and was followed by thick smoke. Reports from area hospitals and witnesses indicate the device was likely tear gas or a CS canister as the male suspect was caught with a gas mask. Holmes indiscriminately fired into the panicked crowd who were piling into the aisles, killing 12 and wounding 38 with two handguns and one rifle. Initial reports indicate one handgun was ‘stashed’ at the movie theater prior to the attack. Police apprehended Holmes as he was heading to a white vehicle in a nearby parking lot at the rear of the theater complex. While police were affecting the arrest, the suspect spoke of “possible explosives” in his vehicle. Local police are conducting a cursory search of the suspect’s vehicle, home and on site at the theater. Federal authorities have discounted Islamic terrorism as the motivation. The investigation continues and the true motivation for the attack is presently unknown.
Key Points
- James Holmes, born December 13th 1987, opened fire on movie goers at a midnight screening of Batman Forever in Aurora, Colorado. He deployed an unspecified canister (tear gas, smoke bomb, flash bang), before firing into the crowd in Theater Nine of the Century 16 movie complex. A total of 12 individuals were killed and 38 wounded with ages ranging from young children (unconfirmed 6 y/o) to adults.
- The active shooter suspect was well equipped; in total he had one rifle, two handguns, a knife, a bulletproof vest, a ballistic helmet, an unspecified CS device, a gas mask, military/SWAT clothing and unidentified explosives in his vehicle and “devices of interest at his home.”
Implications
This active shooter attack in Aurora was likely planned well in advance of last night’s midnight screening. Reports of prepositioned weapons and the use of tear gas and associated gas mask show an organized plan of attack. He parked in the rear of the complex, entering through a service or emergency door at the rear of the building and used the same route to egress from the facility where he was apprehended. As details emerge, there are indications that this was a well-coordinated attack, incorporating preoperational surveillance, massing of weapons and equipment and tactical expertise. An unusual aspect to this active shooter incident is the shooting terminated when the gunmen fled the scene. This occurs in less than one percent of active shooter incidents. The active shooter incident in Aurora appears to be an isolated incident. However, authorities in Paris, France have cancelled the “Dark Knight Rises” Premiere, and the NYPD is providing extra coverage at theaters showing the Dark Night in NYC as precautionary measures.