Cinema shooting death toll revised to 12

2012-07-20 14:48

Denver - Police have revised down to 12 from 14 the death toll in the shooting at a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado.

Aurora Police spokesperson Frank Fania told NBC News that 10 of the victims died in the theatre and two died in the hospital.

Police have detained the alleged gunman, who has been named as 24-year-old James Holmes, but have released few details about his identity or motives.

9news reported that the suspect, after being captured by police, told authorities he had explosive materials in his apartment.

According to the Colorado-based station said police went to his apartment building at East 17th Avenue and Peoria Street in Aurora and evacuated the building immediately as a precautionary measure.

Police are searching his apartment to confirm that claim, it said.

Calm

Witnesses who spoke to 9news have described the man as wearing all black, with a bullet proof vest and what looked to be a gas mask.

"I saw a man walk in through the exit," one eyewitness told Jojola. "[He] looked like he had a gas mask on."

According to the witnesses the gunman threw two gas canisters into the cinema after busting down the door. The witnesses said no one reacted at first - thinking he was a stunt for the movie.

"He looked so calm when he did it," the eyewitness recounted. "It was like scary. He waited for both the bombs to explode before he did anything. Then, after both of them exploded, he began to shoot."

The witnesses said he - at first - fired into the air and then started shooting towards the people.

"He had no specific target. He just started letting loose," the eyewitness said.

Both witnesses said one of the scariest parts was the shooter didn't say a word.


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- Reuters