Tragedy strikes at Midnight Screening for The Dark Knight Rises

Last night, many fans were finally able see what they have been eagerly awaiting all year for, the final installment of Christopher Nolan’s Batman trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises. Unfortunate for fans in attendance in Aurora, Colorado, their long awaited anticipation for the film was met with tragedy.

According to eyewitnesses, James Holmes, a heavily armed gunman appeared in front of the theater at the midnight showing and began open firing on moviegoers, killing 12 people and wounding 50. The 24-year-old gunman was apparently wearing a bulletproof vest, goggles, and was carrying an AK-47, a shotgun and two handguns when he entered the theater. The gunman reportedly threw a tear gas canister into the theater during the movie, causing confusion before randomly shooting into the crowd.

When police arrived on the scene, the gunman did not put up a fight and was quickly taken into custody. Police quickly evacuated the movie theater and began searching for any possible explosive material. Police then searched his nearby apartment after there was some indications he may have had some explosives there.

Among the many injured were a 3-month-old baby and a 9-year-old girl who reportedly sustained gunshot wounds to her back and was carried out of the theater by police officers.