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Movies => Press Releases and Film News => Topic started by: AndyC on July 20, 2012, 05:51:20 AM



Title: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: AndyC on July 20, 2012, 05:51:20 AM
Woke up this morning to this story on the radio. Holy s**t.

http://www.torontosun.com/2012/07/20/ten-killed-at-denver-batman-showing (http://www.torontosun.com/2012/07/20/ten-killed-at-denver-batman-showing)


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Jack on July 20, 2012, 06:20:13 AM
Holy s*** is right.  Lotta screwballs in this world.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Mr. DS on July 20, 2012, 07:25:39 AM
"Why" is all I can ask about something like this happening.   :thumbdown:


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: AndyC on July 20, 2012, 08:02:01 AM
"Why" is all I can ask about something like this happening.   :thumbdown:

That's why I'm kind of glad they got him alive. I'd like to hear, in his own words, just what the hell he was thinking.

Given that he didn't self-destruct, and even willingly surrendered, I would not be surprised if it was some kind of psychotic bid for fame. Not only will he be a notorious mass-murderer, but he'll also hijack some of the movie's hype, and he'll become part of the whole history of the Batman franchise. Or maybe he thought he was striking a blow for some cause or other, like that guy in Finland. Or maybe the reason is crazier than that. We'll just have to wait and see.

It does reaffirm my belief that the scariest monsters are the human ones.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: indianasmith on July 20, 2012, 08:32:41 AM
The death penalty was made for people like this.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: FatFreddysCat on July 20, 2012, 08:54:17 AM
This was all over the TV when I got up this morning. Unbelievable.

All I can say is "Geez. Humans suck."


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: clockworkcanary on July 20, 2012, 09:46:11 AM
Untreated mental illness is a serious problem in this country.

What a horrible, horrible thing... I feel for those families :(


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: RCMerchant on July 20, 2012, 10:03:50 AM
Thats insane.
2012 is happining.
Just slow and painfully sick.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: akiratubo on July 20, 2012, 10:26:17 AM
From the sound of it, this wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing.  He had a plan.  Scary as hell.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Andrew on July 20, 2012, 11:08:06 AM
Awful thing, and we'll have to see why he did such a thing.  My first thought is that he wants the notoriety.

An interesting question is if, instead of attempting to flee, attacking the gunman would have resulted in less people being killed and wounded.  Running away from someone who is armed and firing is entirely understandable, but it's probable that a group rush would have taken him down.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: RCMerchant on July 20, 2012, 11:13:58 AM
Awful thing, and we'll have to see why he did such a thing.  My first thought is that he wants the notoriety.

An interesting question is if, instead of attempting to flee, attacking the gunman would have resulted in less people being killed and wounded.  Running away from someone who is armed and firing is entirely understandable, but it's probable that a group rush would have taken him down.

Fear has that effect.

No one wants to play spin the bottle with a guy with a gun.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Chainsawmidget on July 20, 2012, 11:15:40 AM
It may be true that they could rush him thinking "he can't take down all of us," but nobody wants to be the guy he does take down. 


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: JaseSF on July 20, 2012, 02:26:27 PM
Sad and disturbing it's going to be hard for people to feel safe just doing everyday, mundane things. Much too easy for nuts to get guns.  No one noticed this guy dressed up in protective gear..people probably just thought he was another fan dressed up. Disturbing. Don't want to get into a debate about that though. Our hearts and thoughts should be with the unfortunate victims of this madman. :bluesad:


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: tracy on July 20, 2012, 02:35:12 PM
The death penalty was made for people like this.

I agree! If this was a bid for notoriety then I wish he'd have just killed himself.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: RCMerchant on July 20, 2012, 03:32:58 PM
The death penalty was made for people like this.

I agree! If this was a bid for notoriety then I wish he'd have just killed himself.

I thought we just shot mad rabid dogs.
Case in point.
Do we we really need a jury for mainiacs like this?
Some people need to die....common sense.The guys a murdering maniac.
I dont see a waste of space on a trial.
I say-Kill him.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: LilCerberus on July 20, 2012, 04:50:03 PM
I heard a rumor that a pair of armed patrons apprehended & held the suspect until the police arrived.
Also, that there was already a police presence at the cinema in anticipation of rioters.

But only rumors, so far.
I also heard that ABC News is trying to blame this on the TEA Party.

Anyone know whether or not any of this is true?


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: HappyGilmore on July 20, 2012, 05:56:52 PM
Apparently the guy was in school, attempting a Ph.D. Told cops he was 'The Joker.'


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Jack on July 21, 2012, 07:00:34 AM
He graduated from the same school district as me, Poway school district near San Diego.  Not the same school, but in the same district.  And many years after me.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: tracy on July 21, 2012, 11:58:47 AM
The death penalty was made for people like this.

I agree! If this was a bid for notoriety then I wish he'd have just killed himself.

I thought we just shot mad rabid dogs.
Case in point.
Do we we really need a jury for mainiacs like this?
Some people need to die....common sense.The guys a murdering maniac.
I dont see a waste of space on a trial.
I say-Kill him.

He gave up after being witnessed by so many...tried and convicted.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: FatFreddysCat on July 21, 2012, 12:44:23 PM
I heard a rumor that a pair of armed patrons apprehended & held the suspect until the police arrived.
Also, that there was already a police presence at the cinema in anticipation of rioters.

From what I've gathered, none of that happened. It was just another night at the movie theater, then the sh*t hit the fan. Local police were at the scene within 90 seconds of the first 911 call about the shootings.

Quote
I also heard that ABC News is trying to blame this on the TEA Party.
Anyone know whether or not any of this is true?

That was due to sloppy news reporting. The shooter, James Holmes, has the same name as a prominent member of the Denver area Tea Party organization. In their frenzy to get the story out, an overzealous ABC News reporter assumed that it was the same guy and reported it as such. The Tea Party guy had to unplug his phone because as soon as the erroneous report went out it started ringing off the hook with death threats. ABC corrected their story a short time later.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: major jay on July 21, 2012, 03:58:03 PM
So he was actually trying to emulate the joker character.
It's kinda ironic that they are taking shots at society in the movie.
This town needs an enima.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: AndyC on July 21, 2012, 04:59:39 PM
Went camping last night, so I haven't kept up with the news on this. Last I heard, the cops had evacuated the guy's neighbourhood because his apartment was booby-trapped six ways from Sunday.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: JoeTheDestroyer on July 22, 2012, 01:43:08 AM
God, what a tragedy.  Every time I see the picture of Tom Sullivan bawling his eyes out after searching tirelessly for his son, only to find that he was among the fallen, my heart breaks.   :bluesad:

I think that image will forever be burned into my mind.  Being a dad now myself, I can't imagine outliving my son.  I wouldn't want to.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: AndyC on July 22, 2012, 05:37:38 AM
Yeah, I found it really upsetting to read that the youngest person killed was a little girl the same age as my daughter.

The girl's mother was treated for multiple wounds and might be paralyzed. Last I read, she had been asking about her daughter, but didn't know yet. It's sickening to think about that.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Mr_Vindictive on July 22, 2012, 11:09:03 AM
This event was an absolute tragedy.  It was obviously very well thought out by the shooter from what I've seen.

According to a news report I saw on CBS the other night, Holmes wired his apartment with an incendiary device at the front door.  He cranked up very loud music before leaving that night in the hopes that a noise complaint would be called on him.  When the police would have arrived, the device would have detonated.  This would have pulled all available units to his apartment on the other side of the town, giving him more time for his shooting spree.  That is chilling in it's methodology.  

I'm a proponent of gun education, training and concealed carry.  In NC, where I live, you cannot carry concealed or otherwise into a movie theater.  Any location that requires money for entry is off limits for those that carry a pistol.  I'm not sure if Colorado is like that.  I can't help but think if at least one person in that cinema was carrying, this could have gone differently.  My understanding is that the bastard was only wearing a tactical vest and it was not kevlar or armored.  I can't help but believe that one armed patron could have defused this situation and taken care of what the judicial system will take 30 years to accomplish.



Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Allhallowsday on July 22, 2012, 01:27:26 PM
AP Source: Assault rifle jammed in Colo. attack 

http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-assault-rifle-jammed-colo-attack-121634899.html (http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-assault-rifle-jammed-colo-attack-121634899.html) 

AURORA, Colo. (AP) — The semiautomatic assault rifle used by the gunman in a mass shooting at a midnight showing of the latest Batman movie jammed during the attack, a federal law enforcement official told The Associated Press, which forced the shooter to switch to another gun with less fire power.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to in order to discuss the investigation, said the disabled weapon had a high-capacity ammunition magazine. Police have said that a 100-round drum magazine was recovered at the scene and that such a device would be able to fire 50 to 60 rounds a minute.

That account of what happened inside the Century 16 theater emerged with other details of a suspect described as a budding scientist, brimming with potential, who pursued a graduate program even as he planned the attack with "calculation and deliberation," police said Saturday...


http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-assault-rifle-jammed-colo-attack-121634899.html (http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-assault-rifle-jammed-colo-attack-121634899.html) 


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Mr_Vindictive on July 22, 2012, 02:10:15 PM
AP Source: Assault rifle jammed in Colo. attack 

[url]http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-assault-rifle-jammed-colo-attack-121634899.html[/url] ([url]http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-assault-rifle-jammed-colo-attack-121634899.html[/url]) 

AURORA, Colo. (AP) — The semiautomatic assault rifle used by the gunman in a mass shooting at a midnight showing of the latest Batman movie jammed during the attack, a federal law enforcement official told The Associated Press, which forced the shooter to switch to another gun with less fire power.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity to in order to discuss the investigation, said the disabled weapon had a high-capacity ammunition magazine. Police have said that a 100-round drum magazine was recovered at the scene and that such a device would be able to fire 50 to 60 rounds a minute.

That account of what happened inside the Century 16 theater emerged with other details of a suspect described as a budding scientist, brimming with potential, who pursued a graduate program even as he planned the attack with "calculation and deliberation," police said Saturday...


[url]http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-assault-rifle-jammed-colo-attack-121634899.html[/url] ([url]http://news.yahoo.com/ap-source-assault-rifle-jammed-colo-attack-121634899.html[/url]) 



My understanding is that he was using an AR-15 assault rifle with the drum mag as mentioned.  Usually the large drum mags (which actually are two drums connected) hold somewhere in the area of 90 rounds.  The rifle he used was semi-auto from the accounts that I have seen. ARs are prone to jamming, especially when using an aftermarket or extra capacity mag.

The AR though is no more deadly than any other semi auto rifle.  It fires a 5.56 round, which is not much larger than .22 round.  They are somewhat comparable, it just packs more force behind it and is a longer projectile.

A lot of people have asked how he was able to buy these weapons.  So far I've not seen a reason why a gun shop would refuse to sell to him.  He was a neurosurgeon student, had no history of mental illness, had money and I'm sure acted perfectly normal in the store.  I'm just thankful his AR jammed.  Shame it didn't earlier during the event.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Trevor on July 24, 2012, 02:44:54 AM
I sincerely hope that a prison inmate kills this Holmes SOB in jail and saves the US taxpayer a lot of money. :hatred:


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Fausto on July 26, 2012, 05:42:44 PM
http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/07/25/12933951-tragedy-compounded-killers-parents-become-instant-pariahs?chromedomain=usnews&lite

Interesting article on the parents of the accused


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: HappyGilmore on July 26, 2012, 07:02:30 PM
I've read that, at least one if not more, of the victims are talking lawsuits.  One guy in particular, is suing:
Holmes and his doctors
The movie theater itself
Warner Bros.

Personally, I'm not at ease with the suit.  I understand it, to a degree.  I feel he should be lucky to be alive considering the circumstance.  But, I've not lived through that, so I can't judge.  However, I disagree with suing Warner Bros. directly.  Can't sue them.  I say, yeah, sue the guy and his doctors.  Also, I could see suing the theater directly: most 'emergency exits', to my knowledge, sound an alarm of some sorts.  If it were propped open, as said, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

I sincerely hope that a prison inmate kills this Holmes SOB in jail and saves the US taxpayer a lot of money. :hatred:
To my knowledge so far, they are refusing to allow Holmes to be in General Population and he is in solitary confinement.  Notably, due to the media surrounding the case.  Also, I'm assuming, to avoid any likely 'lawsuits' down the line from Holmes's family if he is killed.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: AndyC on July 26, 2012, 08:05:36 PM
I see the movie theatre and Warner Bros. as victims in their own right. Somebody singles out your movie or your place of business for something like this, you're one of the victims.

That said, I was wondering about the emergency exit myself. Unless somebody let him in, or he's exceptionally skilled at breaking and entering, the door can't have been secure. Seems like there might be a pretty good chance of proving negligence on the part of the theatre management. He bypassed their normal security measures with no trouble at all, strolled up to an emergency exit carrying a small arsenal and went right in, apparently unnoticed by anyone until the shooting started. We are, no doubt, going to see some changes throughout the industry because of this.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Andrew on July 27, 2012, 08:01:31 AM
Filing suit against the movie studio is idiotic.  I can only assume the reason behind doing so is that they allege "The Dark Knight" is a reason James Holmes walked into the theater and started shooting.  That is something I wholesale reject.  People are responsible for their own actions.  I am responsible for mine, and you are responsible for yours.  There can be factors that are taken into account, but in this case the murderer had plenty of time think about what he was doing before he did it.  He is just a monster.

From another standpoint, if ideas in movies or books are a crime (or liability) then a large number of books, TV shows, and films are grounds for lawsuits.  That idea is ridiculous to me, based on my belief that people are responsible for their own actions.

The movie theater might have some liability if the emergency exit was propped open.  However, how did it come to be open?  Did he buy a ticket, enter the theater, walk out through the emergency door and prop it open?  It's strange to me that such a door would be open, especially on such a night when a high-demand movie is having its first showing.  Also, what is the usual harm in an emergency door being open like that?  It would be the theater losing revenue through people sneaking in.

The moment that James Holmes walked into the theater, whether it was through an open emergency exit or the front door, with the intent to commit murder, people were going to be killed or injured.  He is who is at fault.  Whenever something goes wrong like this, people (and lawyers) want to place the blame somewhere that can be sued for monetary damages.  I have a problem with that.  If a reason here is that the victims have bills to pay, and I believe they must, then the community as a whole should help to shoulder the burden by making donations to a emergency fund.  And I don't mean "community" as being only Aurora.  It can be Colorado, it can be all of the United States, and it can be anyone anywhere who wants to help. 



Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: AndyC on July 27, 2012, 08:43:44 AM
Also, what is the usual harm in an emergency door being open like that?  It would be the theater losing revenue through people sneaking in.

That's something I've been wondering about. Theatre security is mostly concerned with keeping out people who haven't paid. In terms of liability, would an insecure door matter just because it wasn't locked, when the purpose of the lock is not the safety of the audience? Is it any different from somebody walking into the lobby and shooting people? The only difference I can see is that sneaking into a packed, noisy, dark theatre made it easier to shoot a lot of people before anyone could react. Other than that, the unsecured door made it no different from any place where the public can freely come and go.

I would think the question of liability (assuming it was staff who propped open the door) would depend on whether anyone should have anticipated that leaving the door open would have the outcome it did. I don't think that's a reasonable expectation.

As for suing Warner Bros., I bet that idea came from the lawyers. It's more of a strategy, I think. Name everybody you can in the lawsuit, and be sure to include those with the deepest pockets. This can't have been good for Warners, and they might just find it in their best interest to offer a nice settlement, regardless of actual liability, just to avoid further trouble.

Overall, I don't like when people start mixing civil law into a criminal case.


Title: Re: 14 shot dead at 'Dark Knight Rises' showing in Colorado
Post by: Pilgermann on July 30, 2012, 01:27:45 AM
Also, I could see suing the theater directly: most 'emergency exits', to my knowledge, sound an alarm of some sorts.  If it were propped open, as said, that's a lawsuit waiting to happen.

It'd be pretty simple to stick something thin and sturdy in the door to keep it from latching, which is likely what happened.  Theater exits aren't strictly there for emergencies, either, but as exits that make for quick access to allow patrons quick access to the parking lot.  I've never seen or heard of an auditorium exit door that would sound an alarm. 

It's pointless to sue anyone in this situation, it's completely pointless and a waste of time and money.  This whole event is a harrowing one, and the scumbag who caused it needs to never see the light of day again.  Unfortunately, it's just one among many never ending evils that mankind is so good at.