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Gunman Kills 12, Injures 59 at Colorado Showing of Batman Movie
Gunman Kills 12, Injures 59 at Colorado Showing of Batman Movie
The word to first describe the movies for a child may not be fun anymore, but fear. I know many of us have already heard of the story I'm linking, it's playing on news outlets at a constant stream.
Considering the exposure, I think it could be something of us to note with our children.
I saw a pediatrician chime in on ABC news on his thoughts on what we should and shouldn't explain of this story to our kids. He said children under 7 should be sheltered from the story all together. His opinion was, under 7 are too young to understand the dynamics of such a scene.
He went on to say for children over seven, parents should stress the point this was a "bad man" and he was captured.
And from parents interviewed on news outlets many made comments they will think twice before allowing their children, tweens and teens, to go to the movies without being chaperoned because of this instance.
Does this story change your perspective and feelings on theater safety?
Tags: 12, batman, brothers, colorado, critical, dead, holmes, kills, movie, movies, More…
Views: 155
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Alicia (Alsan) on -
It was a rare, random event. Nightmarish, horrifying and heart breaking. But still random. The reactionary "precautions" are useless. No costumes, no masks, metal detectors, etc would not have mattered. He bought a ticket, went inside, propped a fire exit door. His car was parked back there. Even if he went through a metal detector, he wasn't carrying a gun when he walked in the front door. Even if he wasn't allowed to wear a costume, he could have put on his tactial gear out at the car. The "precautions" that are being discussed are geared for the front door. Not allowing tweens and teens to go without supervision doesn't prevent something from happening.
I worked at a theatre for several years when I was young. Propped fire exits are definetly a concern and that's where some extra vigilance could be used. It was a theatre this time, next time could be anyplace else.
My heart breaks for those involved. I have been glued to this story since first hearing of it yesterday.
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on -
Alicia you bring back some great points but can't help but think of one interview I saw of a mother (that was shot and survived) that she saw the gunman direct fire at her child and threw herself on him. She tearfully said, "What if I wasn't there to throw myself on him?" I can't help but think she's right but I also know there's no way I can be with my child 24/7 either.
This story is GUT-wrenching.
I keep hearing how smart the gunman is. He must have been in the meticulous way he carried out his planning.
And from early accounts, it sounds as if he could have easily gotten away as well, but sort of waited around, took his time to pack up to leave, as if he wanted to be caught. weird?
I thought when you open emergency exits alarms go off?
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on
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Names of Shooting Victims Start to Emerge
With so many still injured, even with an unimaginable number of 12, I hope the death toll doesn't increase even more. The above link gives names to some that lost their life.
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Permalink Reply by Alicia (Alsan) on
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In many fire exits they don't set an alarm. It depends on the place of business. In the theatre I worked at customers and employees were forever propping the fire exits to let in friends free.
I hadn't seen the interview with the mom who threw herself on her child - I'm suprised she had time.
I too thought it VERY weird he basically waited at his car to be arrested. I guess he wanted to be alive for the notoriety. These things usually end with the gunman dead - by his own hand or the police's. I also thought it weird he told police his apartment was booby trapped. Why go through the trouble of doing it if you're going to tip them off? Unless he had regrets about doing it and didn't want additional charges? He's a death penalty canidate either way...
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on
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Alicia you remarked on so many things that have me scratching my head, too. Strange case, indeed!
Did any of you watch the gunman's (okay, I have to add, alleged) first appearance? I wasn't sure how to read his expressions. Do you think he looked crazy, sleepy, drugged, remorseful, overwhelmed, acting, or even disjointed and uncaring?
Colorado Shooting Suspect Makes First Court Appearance
This sure is a head shaker.
My concern is so many that were critically injured have not been updated to stable condition. With so many being at a critical status for so long, I wonder if the death toll may increase. :(
So sad a thought and I hope we'll see those critical and injured doing well, walk away from this tragedy.
Speaking of walking, I heard one news account on television that the mother of the 6 year-old that died in the shooting will likely be paralyzed. So SAD!
Alicia (Alsan) said:In many fire exits they don't set an alarm. It depends on the place of business. In the theatre I worked at customers and employees were forever propping the fire exits to let in friends free.
I hadn't seen the interview with the mom who threw herself on her child - I'm suprised she had time.
I too thought it VERY weird he basically waited at his car to be arrested. I guess he wanted to be alive for the notoriety. These things usually end with the gunman dead - by his own hand or the police's. I also thought it weird he told police his apartment was booby trapped. Why go through the trouble of doing it if you're going to tip them off? Unless he had regrets about doing it and didn't want additional charges? He's a death penalty canidate either way...
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Permalink Reply by Alicia (Alsan) on
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I wondered about the court appearance too. I can't fathom he was drugged - it would violate understanding of the proceedings against him. The cynic in me wonders if it's an act -laying the groundwork for an insanity defense...
There are still a lot of details I am curious about.
Prayers continue for those still critically injured and for those that survived. To say it's heart wrenching seems inadequate.br />
did you see the copycat story? someone was pulled over, he said had attended a Batman movie with a loaded gun. what does scare me is he had 4 weapons, a LOT of ammo and he said he was on his way to kill a former employer.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/48292930/ns/us_news/
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Permalink Reply by Fallsmama on -
There are so many elements to this story that have my head practically rolling.
Insanity, an act, being drugged - to me those are all incidental - because what he did defies explanation under any circumstances. It is clear that he is not by any means a normal human being.
The fact that he was able to accumulate so much of his 'gear' via the internet makes me sick.
That idiots in government in other states have suggested that had other movie goers been better armed - this would have made this situation BETTER? Excuse me while I vomit. That so many people are trotting the right to bear arms as the defense against legitimate calls for more stringent gun control - as I read somewhere yesterday and I paraphrase 'The right to bear arms as it was laid down in the Bill of Rights does not automatically translate that you have a right to own whatever you want and use it against whomever you want.'
There is NO justifiable reason any normal citizen of this country should need or WANT the weaponry this man had - there is simply no need to provide easy access to it.
And I know this will come across as judgmental - and it in no way diminishes the compassion I feel for the anguish that the family has to be enduring but I think it's a valid parenting discussion point to raise - I am just so, so sad that that the 6 year old who died was even in this theater to begin with.
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Permalink Reply by Alicia (Alsan) on
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I do feel in this instance, if people were allowed concealed carry in Aurora, it would not have made a difference. The confusion with the tear gas, the poor lighting, the people all over the place would have most likely made for an impossible situation to try and get a clean shot at him. He planned his venue well for the most death and injury.
I agree, he's not normal by any stretch of the imagination. I'm just curious to what defense he will try in court when the time eventually comes.
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Permalink Reply by Shawn Spivey on
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Today marks a week later from this horrible event.
As I was expecting, more about critical patients are coming out. This link, Residents return to building where Colorado suspect set boobytraps discusses 2 patients that have been shot in the head, facing grim to no futures with their families dealing with mounting medical bills.
Also mentioned, Warner Brothers, the parent company that released the latest Batman movie, has donated a substantial sum to assist in victim medical costs.
What do you think of Warner Brothers stepping forward with these funds? Do you feel the company should feel accountable in some way?
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Permalink Reply by Alicia (Alsan) on
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I read today 3 hospitals out of the 5 treating victims have said they will wipe out or limit medical expenses for at least some of the victims. I saw too about WB donating funds. I think it's great of them to do so. I do not think they are in any way accountable, but it's a good thing to do by a company that can certainly afford it. Of course it's good PR too.
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