At least 12 people have been killed and up to 40 others were injured in a shooting attack at the premiere of
The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, near Denver, Colorado. It is believed that two shooters were involved in the attack. One suspect has been detained, and the FBI are on the scene to co-ordinate the hunt for the second man. It has also been reported that one explosive device was set off, but a bomb squad is currently on site as a secondary device has possibly been found in the parking lot.
Witnesses said the gunmen were probably wearing body armor and gas masks and used some kind of a tear gas bomb in the attack. The attack began approximately 15 minutes into the screening of the movie. The preview trailers had just finished when a gas canister exploded, according to witnesses. It is believed the gunmen opened fire as people began to flee the theatres. According to witnesses, attendees did not believe what was happening. One posted on local radio station KS1075's
Facebook page that “We were 20 mins into the movie when the fire alarms started going off. We thought it was a prank. Then emergency intercom came on say there was a situation and we need to evacuate immediately.”
One added that after the attack, “There were chaotic scenes as people desperately tried to flee.” Police on the scene began taking wounded patrons to the hospital in their own cars rather than waiting for an ambulance to arrive.