An Aurora, CO midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises exploded into violence early this morning as a masked gunman armed with an assault rifle killed 12 and injured at least 50. Reports say he kicked down the door and released a smoke or gas cannister into the crowd before opening fire from the front of the auditorium.
Police have identified the suspect as 24-year old James Holmes, who entered the screening sporting goggles, a bullet proof vest, and S.W.A.T. style gear. Ten of his victims died on the scene, while two more died at the hospital. Holmes was apprehended in the parking lot, and his mother is quoted as saying "You have the right person." There have been reports that explosives have been found at the shooter's home.
President Barack Obama has since issued a statement expressing his condolences, and so has Presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Warner Brothers, who obviously could never have been prepared for something like this, also issued a brief statement...
"Warner Bros. is deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time."
They have canceled the Paris premiere in the wake of the tragedy, and the NYPD has announced that added security will be present for upcoming screenings of the film.
At a time like this, it gets really tough to write the usual movie production news. Learning who will be starring in the next Captain America movie seems so trivial when real issues of life and death are at stake. All one needs to do is follow the heartbreaking final tweets from some of the victims of this massacre, totally unaware of how the future was about to unfold, to get a powerful lesson on just how tenuous life can be.
Christopher Nolan's film, which is expected to be one of the biggest hits of the year and certainly of the summer, has been a political powder keg over the last few days. Extreme right-wing "pundit" Rush Limbaugh accused Nolan of using the villain, Bane, as an overt statement against Mitt Romney's time at Bain Capital. The charge only makes sense in Limbaugh's delusional world, as anyone who knows Batman writer and Bane creator, Chuck Dixon, knows he is a staunch conservative, who debuted the character back in 1993. The story does deal quite heavily on wealth disparity and economic disenfranchisement, and those who would use fear to push their political agenda. On both sides there has already been an attempt to politicize the attack, with some early speculation leaking out that Holmes may have been a Tea Party follower trying to make a statement. That hasn't been confirmed at this point, and personally I find any attempt to make political hay out of such a tragedy to be disgusting in every way fathomable. Speaking for those of us here at Punch Drunk Critics, our hearts go out to the families and loved ones of those who have been killed or injured.
Below you'll find the statement released by President Barack Obama....
"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."
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