A man who became a quadriplegic when a bullet severed his cervical spine in the Aurora theater shooting has sued Cinemark for what he said were lax security measures that put him and many others at risk.

Stefan Moton, 20, filed the federal lawsuit last week against Cinemark, the Plano, Texas, company that owns what was then called the Century Aurora 16 at 14300 E. Alameda Ave.

The case was quickly consolidated with 15 other civil cases related to the shooting that were already filed against Cinemark.

Moton was permanently paralyzed after a bullet severed his cervical spine. He has suffered “extreme physical, mental and emotional pain and suffering,” the lawsuit says. No specific claim amount was mentioned other than it was above $75,000.

James Holmes is charged with killing 12 people and injuring 70. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.

Cinemark officials could not be reached for comment.

Moton’s lawsuit says Cinemark officials knew or should have known before the Aurora shootings on July 20, 2012, about prior disturbances at the theater, including a gang shooting.

Among the security gaps at the theater was the fact that there was public parking all around the theater, including in the back, the lawsuit says.

During the midnight premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises,” theater officials opened more than one theater for the occasion because they anticipated a large crowd, yet no security officers were employed that night, the lawsuit says.

The theater did not have alarm systems in which security officers would be notified if someone entered the theater from exterior doors. There also was no monitoring system to survey parking areas behind the theater, the suit says.

“At no time during the entirety of this incident was there any action taken by theater personnel to assist or evacuate those who were injured by the gunman,” the lawsuit says.

Kirk Mitchell: 303-954-1206, kmitchell@denverpost.com or twitter.com/kmitchelldp