Aurora Theatre

Rangeview High School employee accidentally shoots student in parking lot

Since the horrific 2012 shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut, pro-gun advocates have suggested that schools would be safer if employees were armed. Well, here's an anecdote that represents the other side of that argument. Yesterday afternoon, a worker at Aurora's Rangeview Hi ... More >>

Nathan Dunlap clemency bid: "No principled reason" to execute quadruple murderer

The decision by attorneys for accused Aurora theater shooter James Holmes to enter a not guilty by reason of insanity plea seems motivated mainly by an effort to avoid the death penalty. Those representing Nathan Dunlap, convicted of killing four people at a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant in 1993, are ... More >>

James Holmes, accused Aurora theater shooter, plans to plead not guilty by reason of insanity

Accused Aurora theater shooter James Holmes "intends to tender a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity" at the next hearing in the case, which is scheduled for Monday, May 13, according to a motion filed today by Holmes's attorneys. Holmes's attorneys have previously indicated that they were con ... More >>

James Holmes case files: 37,000 pages, 436 discs, jail videos and more

In most cases, an order for prosecutors to make sure the defense team has access to all of their documents is commonplace. But there's no such thing as business as usual when it comes to the Aurora theater shooting. In a newly released document on view below, 18th Judicial District DA George Brauch ... More >>

Skyrim and Oblivion, fantasy role-playing games, part of James Holmes inventory

Among the documents released yesterday in the Aurora theater shooting case was a wide-ranging inventory of the contents found in accused killer James Holmes's apartment. We've got the complete list below. But among the more interesting items are three video games, none of which are the sort of real ... More >>

James Holmes's psychiatrist says he made "homicidal statements," documents reveal

The judge in the James Holmes case has unsealed an arrest affidavit and several search warrants in the case. Among the details revealed by these documents -- that psychiatrist Lynne Fenton reported to a police officer in June that Holmes made "homicidal statements" and "threatened and harassed her; ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting suspect considering insanity plea: Read the motions here

Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes "is considering entering" a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, according to motions filed by his attorneys. The motions -- which are on view below -- ask the court to clarify certain aspects of the state's insanity defense laws, including the ter ... More >>

Gun policies: Colorado Democrats propose sweeping changes

Colorado Democrat leaders proposed an array of gun control measures today that would lead to comprehensive state policy changes. The proposed legislation addresses assault-rifle ownership, modernizing the current background check system, a high-capacity magazine ban and strengthening mental health ... More >>

Aurora Century theater reopens six months after shooting with speeches, The Hobbit

The smell of buttered popcorn drifted into the parking lot as survivors of the July 20 shooting that killed twelve people and injured seventy made their way last night toward the front doors of the remodeled Century 16 theater in Aurora for its official reopening. Inside, they were greeted by a new ... More >>

Aurora Century 16 reopening: See changes made to ten other massacre sites

At 5 p.m. today, the Aurora Century 16, the site of the July 20 attack that killed twelve, officially reopens following a ceremony featuring Governor John Hickenlooper and many others. Some family members have called for a boycott of the event -- an indication of the strong emotions stirred by decis ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting: City asks judge to consider lifting gag order against it

The City of Aurora has asked the judge in the theater shooting case to revise a gag order that prohibits law enforcement agents from discussing what happened. "The city has refused numerous requests...to give presentations regarding the theater shooting," an attorney for the city wrote in a motion f ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting spawns eighth lawsuit (at least) against Cinemark

The Aurora Century 16, where James Holmes allegedly killed twelve and injured seventy, is slated to reopen next Thursday, January 17. But the attempts by Century 16 owner Cinemark to move on haven't stopped the shooting-related lawsuits against the firm that have appeared regularly over the past six ... More >>

Aurora victim's father will return to theater: "He would want me to be there"

The upcoming reopening of Cinemark's Century 16 theater, the site of the tragic mass shooting on July 20 at a midnight show, has sparked a lot of controversy this week -- in part because of a heavily criticized letter that theater sent to the victims' families inviting them to attend its re-opening. ... More >>

Aurora shooting: Jordan Ghawi, brother of victim, says boycott of Cinemark is "ridiculous"

Yesterday, families of those who died in the Aurora theater shooting blasted Cinemark, owner of the site of the tragedy, for insensitively inviting them to an event timed with the theater's reopening. The mother and stepfather of victim Jessica Ghawi joined others in signing a letter to the theater, ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting: Preliminary hearing in James Holmes case to start Monday

An important hearing in the case of Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes will start Monday, January 7 at 9 a.m. This morning, prosecutors and Holmes's defense attorneys told the judge in the case that they're ready to proceed with the preliminary hearing, which is expected to reveal many m ... More >>

Photos: Aurora, Columbine families hold emotional conference urging gun reforms

After a week of silence since the Sandy Hook massacre, the National Rifle Association today said that more guns need to be part of the strategy to stop this kind of violence. Meanwhile, families of the victims of the Aurora shooting and the Columbine tragedy came together for an emotional press conf ... More >>

James Holmes hearing: Fox News reporter to be subpoenaed about notebook leak

Update on our coverage of today's hearing in the James Holmes case (previous reporting below): Six more police officers testified after the lunch break, including the Aurora officer who wrote the warrant to seize the notebook, and who brought it to police headquarters. Detective Sergeant Matthew Fyl ... More >>

James Holmes hearing postponed after alleged killer's repeated head banging, report says

Update by Michael Roberts: At a hearing yesterday, Judge William Sylvester, who's overseeing the prosecution of Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes agreed to postpone a hearing slated for this morning due to his "condition;" see our original coverage below. Now, reports have surfaced that t ... More >>

James Holmes case: Leak fears inspire order denying access to evidence for victims' lawsuits

Update: Judge William Sylvester, the jurist overseeing the Aurora theater shooting case against accused murderer James Holmes, has denied a request for access to evidence from three victims suing Cinemark, owner of the Century 16, where twelve people died and 58 were injured during the July 20 attac ... More >>

James Holmes case: Cinemark lawsuits amend references to prior gang shooting at Century 16

The Aurora theater shootings have spawned a number of lawsuits against Cinemark, owner of the Century 16, where James Holmes allegedly killed twelve people and wounded 58. But two of the suits were subsequently amended to remove direct references to prior gang shootings at the theater -- a rationale ... More >>

James Holmes case: Key preliminary hearing likely to be postponed until 2013

Lawyers on both sides of the James Holmes case will meet on October 25 as scheduled, but the bulk of their agenda will be postponed, Arapahoe County District Court Judge William Sylvester ruled today. Attorneys for the accused Aurora theater shooter asked to delay the hearing to have more time to pr ... More >>

Videos: Obama cites Aurora theater shooting in second debate with Romney

Earlier this month, families of Aurora theater shooting victims urged Jim Lehrer, moderator of the presidential debate in Denver, to raise the issue of gun policy in quizzing President Barack Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney. Lehrer didn't do so -- but last night, in the season' ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting: New lawsuit charges Century 16 owner Cinemark with negligence

Last month, three survivors of the Aurora theater shooting filed lawsuits against Cinemark, owner of the Century 16, where the July 20 massacre took place. Cinemark has filed to dismiss these claims -- but another has just arrived. Marc Bern, whose New York law firm has won a big settlement on behal ... More >>

James Holmes's lawyers ask to delay hearing, say media requests are "beginning to interfere"

James Holmes's lawyers are asking to postpone a hearing set for October 25 because they need more time to prepare. One of the main reasons given for this request involves the amount of time it takes to deal with media requests that additional information be made public.

Aurora theater shooting: Victims' families ask Jim Lehrer to raise gun policy at debate

In their first group message focused on gun policy, family members of those who died in the Aurora theater shooting have come together to urge presidential debate moderator Jim Lehrer to press Barack Obama and Mitt Romney on the topic of firearms violence when the candidates face off in Denver tomor ... More >>

Rock music has lost its ability to strike fear in 2012

James Holmes railroaded...for running a red light, says traffic-ticket critic

Despite the allegations against him in the Aurora Theater Shooting, accused killer James Holmes has plenty of defenders, including members of the James Holmes Is Innocent Facebook page and so-called Holmies fan groups. Now, an editor at the Washington Times is also saying Holmes was railroaded -- bu ... More >>

James Holmes is Innocent Facebook group insists it's serious

Seven weeks to the day since the Aurora theater shooting, the sort of James Holmes tribute pages that popped up in the immediate aftermath of the massacre are showing unexpected staying power on Facebook. Most (like this one) are mainly about shock value. But the largest Facebook group we've found - ... More >>

Ten best concerts in Colorado this weekend, Friday, August 24, through Sunday, August 26

Welcome to the weekend! If you haven't made plans yet, there's an unreal number of shows, from five different festivals to several CD release shows to old school hip-hop. Of course, we have them all listed in our massive concert calendar. If you're feeling industrious, print that bad boy out and bre ... More >>

Photos: Aurora theater shooting and ten massacre sites that were changed (or not)

The City of Aurora is conducting a survey, asking folks through August 31 what should be done with the Aurora Century 16, the theater where James Holmes allegedly killed twelve people. Many other massacre sites have faced this unfortunate question in the past, with responses ranging from minor chan ... More >>

Superheroes for Aurora

James Holmes's expert can watch some (but not all) evidence testing, judge rules

James Holmes's own "confidential defense expert" has a right to be present during evidence testing if the testing will destroy the evidence but not otherwise, a judge ruled today. Holmes, 24, is charged with 24 counts of murder and 116 counts of attempted murder in the July 20 Aurora theater shoot ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting judge: Unsealing CU info worse than trying to unring a bell

Part of the court record in the case of accused Aurora theater shooter James Holmes will be unsealed, a judge ruled today. Arapahoe County District Court Judge William Sylvester will allow some motions and the register of actions, a chronological list of actions in a case, to be made public. However ... More >>

James Holmes being evicted: Guess those bombs broke his lease

Yesterday's court hearing for James Holmes, at which his attorneys repeatedly said their client is mentally ill, wasn't the only court proceeding involving the accused Aurora theater shooter. As seen in a document on view below, his landlord is also going through the formal process of evicting him. ... More >>

Sikh temple shooting getting less coverage than Aurora theater tragedy: Why?

On Sunday, a gunman opened fire on attendees at a Sikh temple in Wisconsin, killing six people before dying at the hands of police. Yet the amount of coverage this horrific event has received thus far falls short of that devoted to the July 20 Aurora theater shooting nationally as well as locally. I ... More >>

Photos: The twelve Aurora theater shooting victims (16-27)

Several years ago, Westword created the Mile High Murder archive to track area homicides. Since we began covering the July 20 attack on the Century 16, however, we haven't included our reporting in that category, instead grouping it under several other headings, including our Aurora Theater Shooting ... More >>

Photo: James Holmes-Obama billboard's message defended by conservative group

In the immediate aftermath of the Aurora theater shooting, President Barack Obama and presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney backed off politics for a few days. But the pair are back to going after each other hammer and tongs, as are their supporters -- like a group in Idaho that pr ... More >>

Photos: Aurora theater shooting list of people James Holmes allegedly tried to kill

Yesterday, suspected Aurora theater shooter James Holmes was officially charged with 142 allegations, including 25 murder accusations and 116 counts of attempted murder. The latter list, which includes people who were wounded or managed to evade injury, is so long that many of the names will be unfa ... More >>

James Holmes's musician sister has song called "Walking on Death Row"

The face is pretty unmistakable: The features look strikingly similar to the now iconic visage that's been burned into our collective consciousness over the past ten days. But this face doesn't belong to the person alleged to have shot seventy people at an Aurora movie theater just after midnight on ... More >>

James Holmes: 24 counts of first-degree murder, 116 counts of attempted murder

Update below: At a hearing this morning, the 18th Judicial District DA's office formally informed suspected Aurora theater shooter James Holmes of the charges against him -- and there are 142 of them. Westword was in this courtroom this morning and will provide detailed coverage of the hearing shor ... More >>

James Holmes memes: New low in online response to Aurora theater shootings

We all process tragedy differently, which may explain the attempts to wring humor from the Aurora theater shooting. But like the James Holmes Facebook tribute pages, or tweets about how the suspected killer is hot, the proliferation of James Holmes memes is mondo-disturbing. Under the theory that th ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting: Ed Perlmutter and the challenge of talking about gun control

When asked about gun laws on Sunday -- two days after James Holmes fired shots into an Aurora movie theater in one of the largest mass shootings in American history -- Representative Ed Perlmutter backed reinstatement of the assaults weapon ban. The comments, on live national TV, made him one of the ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting: Gun sales surge predictable -- but will it last?

Colorado dealers turned in 40 percent more background check requests for gun purchasers in the four days after the Aurora theater shootings than they did the previous weekend, a spike in gun sales similar to previous runs after other mass killings, including the 1999 Columbine High School attack, ac ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting: Rev. Jesse Jackson planning event near James Holmes's apartment

The Associated Press is reporting that the Reverend Jesse Jackson will meet today with the husband of an Aurora theater shooting victim. He's also said to be planning a press event near the apartment of suspected murderer James Holmes following a nationwide series of gun-violence gatherings over th ... More >>

Aurora shooting: Jessica Ghawi scholarship fund zooms past goal with help from L.A. Kings

The first person identified as a victim of the Aurora theater shooting was Jessica Ghawi, a.k.a. Jessica Redfield, a fledgling sports journalist interning for 104.3 The Fan. On Tuesday, her family created a scholarship fund in her name in the hope that $20,000 could be raised by November 20. But tha ... More >>

Video: Florence The Machine's beautiful moment of silence for Aurora theater victims

Last night's Florence The Machine show at Red Rocks is one attendees will always remember -- because of the music, of course, but also due to the expanded stretch when it stopped. According to our Kelsey Whipple, who reviewed the show, the encore began with lead singer Florence Welch asking the cr ... More >>

Videos: After Aurora theater shooting, Craig Ferguson strikes right tone, Jay Leno doesn't

As was the case following the 1999 Columbine tragedy, late-night hosts faced a difficult task in dealing with early Friday's shootings at the Century 16 in Aurora. How to treat this horrific incident respectfully and then attempt to make the nation laugh? That night, Craig Ferguson passed the test ... More >>

James Holmes: Inside the courtroom with shock-haired Aurora theater shooting suspect

Update:James Holmes, the 24-year-old suspect in the Aurora theater shooting, walked slowly into a packed, wood-paneled courtroom this morning to be advised of his rights. He wore a maroon jumpsuit, but the most shocking thing about his appearance was his hair, which was a bushy tumble of neon orang ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting & disgusting questions about The Dark Knight Rises box office

We understand that media outlets doing wall-to-wall coverage of last night's shooting at the Aurora Town Center Century 16 during a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rise have to look at every possible angle of the story. But excuse me for being repulsed by stories speculating about whether the ... More >>

Aurora theater shooting: James Holmes did not drink at the Zephyr Lounge, says Myron Melnick

James Holmes did not drink here. Earlier today, a media outlet interviewed a gentleman described as a bouncer at a bar that the accused Aurora Theater killer supposedly frequented. That particular interview didn't mention the name of the bar, but an earlier report on one of the TV stations did: the ... More >>