Shooting Rampage at Screening of The Dark Knight Rises

July 20, 2012 Feature Slider, Features, News, Pop Culture

Shooting Rampage at Screening of The Dark Knight Rises Leaves 12 Dead, 59 Wounded

Just what exactly is going on in the world today?

As you’ve no doubt heard, The Dark Knight Rises is tragically in the news for all of the wrong reasons. 12 people are dead in Aurora, Colorado. 59 are wounded after a former University of Colorado medical student targeted the audience of a midnight showing of the newest and final Batman movie in the Dark Knight trilogy.

The suspected shooter, James Holmes, 24, burst into a theater through its emergency exit 20 minutes into the film’s showing. He deployed smoke or tear grenades and began opening fire on the crowd. He was dressed in full body armor as he allegedly methodically picked his targets, even stopping to reload his weapons which included an assault rifle.

He was arrested after the rampage and even told Aurora police that he was the Joker, Batman’s arch nemesis.

“He said he was the Joker, enemy of Batman,” Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said after conferring with his counterpart in Aurora.

Ten people were dead on the scene and two more died, including a 6-year-old at a hospital.

Crowd gathering outside the Century 16 cinema in Aurora, Colorado after a shooting rampage leaves 12 dead and 59 wounded

There will no doubt be comments or statements made in regards to the idea that video games, movies, or television are too violent and warping the minds of today’s youth. I can’t even say that I would disagree that violence and desensitization has had an effect on our society, but this guy is a clear cut stone cold psycho who committed a heinous crime and has left the town of Aurora, Colorado grieving as well as has shocked the world in a way that can only be described as absolute sickening.

Warner Bros. issued this statement, “Warner Bros. and the filmmakers are 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.”

My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of those whose lives have been touched by this tragedy and I hope that we can keep the focus pointed on the people who must take responsibilities for their actions. Hold them accountable for their actions, something else lacking in our society today.