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You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/blog/2012/jul/20/denver-batman-premiere-shooting-live
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| Batman cinema shooting: 14 dead in Colorado - live updates | Batman cinema shooting: 14 dead in Colorado - live updates |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| 8.17am (ET): The Guardian's team in New York is now taking over this live coverage. All future posts will be in ET. | |
| 1.06pm BST/ 6.06MDT: Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife Ann have also expressed their sadness over the events in Aurora. | |
| In a statement released from Boston, where Romney is due to campaign later today, he said: "Ann and I are deeply saddened by the news of the senseless violence that took the lives of 15 people in Colorado and injured dozens more. | |
| "We are praying for the families and loved ones of the victims during this time of deep shock and immense grief. | |
| "We expect that the person responsible for this terrible crime will be quickly brought to justice." | |
| 1.04pm/ 6:04am MDT: Local news channels are reporting that the number of dead appears to have been revised down to 12 from 14. | |
| 1.00pm BST/ 6.00am MDT: Stringer Laura Standley and local Denver resident has filed this from the scene: | |
| Police cars and emergency vehicles are just beginning to leave as the sun comes up around 530am in Aurora, but the alarm continues to sound from the Century 16 theatre. | |
| Area residents are wandering over having heard the news of the shooting at their neighbourhood theatre. Christine Doan, 24, is one such resident. | |
| She said she came down because she heard some of the victims were children. In fact, talking about it brought her to tears. "Lives were lost here," she said. | |
| "This is a serious event for (Aurora)." | |
| Doan says the news is shocking, despite comparing it to a shooting at this very mall which resulted in a curfew for teenagers on Fridays and Saturday nights. | |
| Jojo Perez, 30, another resident in this north Aurora neighbourhood mirrors these sentiments. "That could have been us in there." she said. | |
| 12.16pm/ 5.16am MDT: President Obama has issued this statement: | |
| Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. |
| 12.06pm/5:06am MDT: Here's what a witness on Channel Nine TV said about the shooting: Smoke took over the entire theatre and no one could really see anything... | 12.06pm/5:06am MDT: Here's what a witness on Channel Nine TV said about the shooting: Smoke took over the entire theatre and no one could really see anything... |
| Me and my sister and my friends were wondering what was going on, what was happening and then at that point I saw something coming through the wall. Multiple objects just float through the wall. I saw holes in the walls [from theatre nine]. | Me and my sister and my friends were wondering what was going on, what was happening and then at that point I saw something coming through the wall. Multiple objects just float through the wall. I saw holes in the walls [from theatre nine]. |
| He added that people were getting hit in his own theatre by what was happening next door: | He added that people were getting hit in his own theatre by what was happening next door: |
| People stood up and started checking themselves. A couple of people where holding [areas and I heard moaning like they were in pain. | People stood up and started checking themselves. A couple of people where holding [areas and I heard moaning like they were in pain. |
| That's when I started to get worried. And I didn't really know what was happening until someone came up to the left entrance and told us we shouldn't go outside because there was a guy with a gun outside. | That's when I started to get worried. And I didn't really know what was happening until someone came up to the left entrance and told us we shouldn't go outside because there was a guy with a gun outside. |
| 12.03pm/5.03am MDT : Denver police scanners report that they are preparing to send in Hazmat (Hazardous materials) teams to the residence in North Aurora. | 12.03pm/5.03am MDT : Denver police scanners report that they are preparing to send in Hazmat (Hazardous materials) teams to the residence in North Aurora. |
| 12.01pm / 05.01am MDT: Local TV station Channel Nine is reporting that the shooting was so aggressive that bullets went through the walls of theatre nine and hit people in theatre eight. | 12.01pm / 05.01am MDT: Local TV station Channel Nine is reporting that the shooting was so aggressive that bullets went through the walls of theatre nine and hit people in theatre eight. |
| 11.53am BST/4.53am MDT: Denver University hospital is reporting that they are treating three people for "chemical exposure". | 11.53am BST/4.53am MDT: Denver University hospital is reporting that they are treating three people for "chemical exposure". |
| 11.49am/ 4.49am MDT Reddit have this witness report on their front page: | 11.49am/ 4.49am MDT Reddit have this witness report on their front page: |
| Boyfriend and I have evacuated safe and sound. The shooting began during a gunfight scene in the movie, and at first, we thought it was special effects when smoke rose up. | Boyfriend and I have evacuated safe and sound. The shooting began during a gunfight scene in the movie, and at first, we thought it was special effects when smoke rose up. |
| When shots happened again and people began to run, we thought something was up. A guy ran in and shouted there was a gunman in the building, and the alarms to emergency evacuate started to go off. | When shots happened again and people began to run, we thought something was up. A guy ran in and shouted there was a gunman in the building, and the alarms to emergency evacuate started to go off. |
| I now know what tear gas feels like. I've never had to 'get down' with a police officer screaming at us. This is the most fucked up night of my short life. I need an army of kitten photos stat. | I now know what tear gas feels like. I've never had to 'get down' with a police officer screaming at us. This is the most fucked up night of my short life. I need an army of kitten photos stat. |
| Police have said that the suspected shooter was wearing a gas mask so if this witness is correct then it wasn't simply a smoke bomb that was thrown into the cinema but perhaps something even more toxic. | Police have said that the suspected shooter was wearing a gas mask so if this witness is correct then it wasn't simply a smoke bomb that was thrown into the cinema but perhaps something even more toxic. |
| 11.39am BST/ 04:39am MDT: Police Chief Dan Oates added this during the press briefing: | 11.39am BST/ 04:39am MDT: Police Chief Dan Oates added this during the press briefing: |
| On behalf of all Aurora, this is a horrific event. Our hearts go out to all of the family. We have mobilised the witnesses that we could get our hands on to an area high school where de-briefings are under way. | On behalf of all Aurora, this is a horrific event. Our hearts go out to all of the family. We have mobilised the witnesses that we could get our hands on to an area high school where de-briefings are under way. |
| The FBI said they have agents working in the area and that they were aksing to talking to potential witnesses. | The FBI said they have agents working in the area and that they were aksing to talking to potential witnesses. |
| During questions Oates said he could add anything more about what the suspected shooter said "The only I will tell you is that he made a statement to us about explosives in his residence" and added that police were dealing with that. | During questions Oates said he could add anything more about what the suspected shooter said "The only I will tell you is that he made a statement to us about explosives in his residence" and added that police were dealing with that. |
| About the suspected smoke bomb which was released in the theatre before the shooting he said, " There was a releases of some kind of smoke." | About the suspected smoke bomb which was released in the theatre before the shooting he said, " There was a releases of some kind of smoke." |
| 11.25am BST/ 04:25am MDT: The Denver Childrens Hospital is reporting that the youngest person they're treating for bullett injuries is aged six. | 11.25am BST/ 04:25am MDT: The Denver Childrens Hospital is reporting that the youngest person they're treating for bullett injuries is aged six. |
| 11.21am BST/ 4:21am MDT: Here's some of the first half of a short press briefing from local police chief Dan Oates. At the start of the briefing he confirmed that a 24 year-old male had been arrested and was in custody: | 11.21am BST/ 4:21am MDT: Here's some of the first half of a short press briefing from local police chief Dan Oates. At the start of the briefing he confirmed that a 24 year-old male had been arrested and was in custody: |
| As of now we only know of one gunman and we have noi evidence of any additional shooters. Police officers responded and found the gunman in the back of the theatre outside in the parking lot in his car in possesison of a gas mask and at least a rifle and a hand gun." | As of now we only know of one gunman and we have noi evidence of any additional shooters. Police officers responded and found the gunman in the back of the theatre outside in the parking lot in his car in possesison of a gas mask and at least a rifle and a hand gun." |
| The shooting went on for some time as. We have approximately 50 injured and 14 dead. 10 dead in the theatre and four died at the area hospital. | The shooting went on for some time as. We have approximately 50 injured and 14 dead. 10 dead in the theatre and four died at the area hospital. |
| The police response consisted of any one who was bleeding into police cars into hospitals....There may be some double counts. | The police response consisted of any one who was bleeding into police cars into hospitals....There may be some double counts. |
| The suspect is in custody and made statements about possible explosive in his residence. At this time there is a residence in a B=North Aurora apartment building which has been evacuated and we are searching for explosive inside there. | The suspect is in custody and made statements about possible explosive in his residence. At this time there is a residence in a B=North Aurora apartment building which has been evacuated and we are searching for explosive inside there. |
| We are also concerned about explosives in the parking lot as it is [currently] sealed off. | We are also concerned about explosives in the parking lot as it is [currently] sealed off. |
| 11.14am/ 4.14am MDT: Local Denver station channel 9 has broadcast some footage taken by what appears to be someone inside the theatre after the shooting began. | 11.14am/ 4.14am MDT: Local Denver station channel 9 has broadcast some footage taken by what appears to be someone inside the theatre after the shooting began. |
| It is grainy but shows some of the chaos after the shooting happened. | It is grainy but shows some of the chaos after the shooting happened. |
| 10.55am BST/3.55am MDT: We can't verify this at the moment but @dingos8myTARDIS who we understand lives in Denver, tweeted this around the time of the shooting: | 10.55am BST/3.55am MDT: We can't verify this at the moment but @dingos8myTARDIS who we understand lives in Denver, tweeted this around the time of the shooting: |
| Shots fired in the theater. #batman #aurora #colorado | Shots fired in the theater. #batman #aurora #colorado |
| . | . |
| @LustInLove Yes. It was my theater. I'm outside, one of my friends is still inside. No one knows what's going on. | @LustInLove Yes. It was my theater. I'm outside, one of my friends is still inside. No one knows what's going on. |
| . | . |
| Oh God, I don't know what to do. | Oh God, I don't know what to do. |
| . | . |
| 10.53am BST/3.53am MDT: Here is the latest update from Associated Press newswire: | 10.53am BST/3.53am MDT: Here is the latest update from Associated Press newswire: |
| "Witness Hayden Miller told KUSA-TV that he was inside Theater 16 and heard several shots. | "Witness Hayden Miller told KUSA-TV that he was inside Theater 16 and heard several shots. |
| "Like little explosions going on and shortly after that we heard people screaming," he told the station. | "Like little explosions going on and shortly after that we heard people screaming," he told the station. |
| Hayden said at first he thought it was part of a louder movie next door. But then he saw "people hunched over leaving [the] theater." | Hayden said at first he thought it was part of a louder movie next door. But then he saw "people hunched over leaving [the] theater." |
| Spokeswoman Nicole Williams said that two people in critical condition had been rushed to the nearby Swedish Medical Center. | Spokeswoman Nicole Williams said that two people in critical condition had been rushed to the nearby Swedish Medical Center. |
| She said emergency crews told her staff to prepare for several more patients from the shooting scene. | She said emergency crews told her staff to prepare for several more patients from the shooting scene. |
| "We're on standby to receive," she said. "Police said they could have as many as 20 or more (patients)." | "We're on standby to receive," she said. "Police said they could have as many as 20 or more (patients)." |
| 10.41am BST/3.41am MDT: A press conference in Denver has just ended with the police chief of Aurora and a representative from the FBI who have given us some more salient information. | 10.41am BST/3.41am MDT: A press conference in Denver has just ended with the police chief of Aurora and a representative from the FBI who have given us some more salient information. |
| Speaking was police chief Dan Oates who said in summary that there was "no evidence" of a second shooter and that the suspected shooter was now in custody. | Speaking was police chief Dan Oates who said in summary that there was "no evidence" of a second shooter and that the suspected shooter was now in custody. |
| Police had been told by the alleged shooter that there were explosives at his flat in North Aurora, a poorer suburb of Denver. This apartment block has now been evacuated and searched. The wounded which total 50 - though this Oates said could be higher because of double counting, have been taken to six hostpitals around the city. | Police had been told by the alleged shooter that there were explosives at his flat in North Aurora, a poorer suburb of Denver. This apartment block has now been evacuated and searched. The wounded which total 50 - though this Oates said could be higher because of double counting, have been taken to six hostpitals around the city. |
| 10 people were killed at the cinema, where something appearing to be a smoke bomb was released before the attack at the screening of the 'Dark Knight Rises' at the Century multiplex. | 10 people were killed at the cinema, where something appearing to be a smoke bomb was released before the attack at the screening of the 'Dark Knight Rises' at the Century multiplex. |
| The alleged killer was found soon after with a rifle and another weapon. | The alleged killer was found soon after with a rifle and another weapon. |
| The next full press conference is expected some 8 hours from now at 11am local Denver time. | The next full press conference is expected some 8 hours from now at 11am local Denver time. |
| We also have a stringer who is on her way to the scene. I will post up the quotes form the press conference shortly. | We also have a stringer who is on her way to the scene. I will post up the quotes form the press conference shortly. |
| 10.36am BST/3.36am MDT A masked gunman shot 14 people dead and up to 50 injured at a showing of the new Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises at a cinema in the US city of Denver, police said. | 10.36am BST/3.36am MDT A masked gunman shot 14 people dead and up to 50 injured at a showing of the new Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises at a cinema in the US city of Denver, police said. |
| Local radio station KOA, citing witnesses, said a figure in a gas mask had opened fire at the showing in a mall in the suburb of Aurora and set off a smoke or teargas bomb. | Local radio station KOA, citing witnesses, said a figure in a gas mask had opened fire at the showing in a mall in the suburb of Aurora and set off a smoke or teargas bomb. |
| The situation is developing quickly and we will bring you the latest information as it happens. Here is our initial report on the incident. | The situation is developing quickly and we will bring you the latest information as it happens. Here is our initial report on the incident. |