AURORA | Police are trying to determine what led to an apparent murder-suicide shooting in the driveway of a south Aurora home Friday afternoon. [65], Ashley Moser, Veronica Moser-Sullivan's mother, suffered critical injuries after being shot in the chest. [138] Members of the Denver Broncos also called or visited individuals at the hospitals. At approximately 2:00 AM on January 4th . [5], The shooting occurred in Theater 9 at the Century 16 multiplex (operated by Cinemark Theatres), located in the Town Center at Aurora shopping mall[6] at 14300 E. Alameda Avenue. The victim's ranged in age from 20 to 65 and Mayor Sam . OJ Simpson / The Glove Didn't Fit Chapter 17: 14 . Martinezs grandmother then told detectives about the conversation she had with him at 1:30 a.m. On the call, he allegedly said he went to the Aurora house and was doing shots of tequila with Estancia, Marisol and Kaden. [30] He was described as being calm and "disconnected" during his arrest. I think I hurt them. She also said he was hyperventilating at some point. Media organizations challenged the sealing of the court file. [115][116] On July 22, President Obama met with victims and local and state officials and gave a nationally televised speech from Aurora. [10][11] About 30 minutes into the movie, police say, around 12:30a.m.,[12] he reentered the theater through the exit door. Connie raised Vanessa after the killings, and for years feared the killer would come back. Dressed in tactical clothing, 24-year-old James Holmes set off tear gas grenades and shot into the audience with multiple firearms. But after Connie left that night, someone armed with a hammer entered the familys Aurora home and killed Melissa, her mother Debra Bennett, 26, and her father Bruce Bennett, 27. Dunlap had recently been fired from Chuck E Cheese. [179][180], The Century 16 theater where the shooting occurred was rebranded as the Century Aurora theater by its parent company Cinemark Theatres. But investigators didnt find a match until 2018, when Ewings DNA was uploaded into a national database, five years after Nevada enacted a state law that required mandatory DNA collection for people convicted of certain crimes. The 27-year-old - also convicted on . The investigation began at approximately 12:45 p.m. Sunday, when the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call at a residence of 502 Carnahan Street in Marquette. Though it was difficult to see the kaleidoscopic colours with the naked eye due to light pollution . [94], On June 9, three jurors were dismissed from the trial due to concerns of their violating orders not to talk about news reports about the case. Cesar J. Ponce, 19 . He said they picked up some tequila and went back to the homehe, his mother and his sister had just moved to in Aurora. [67][68][69], The Community First Foundation collected more than $5 million for a fund for victims and their families. [102][103] On July 23, the jury ruled that Holmes acted in a cruel manner, was lying in wait, and ambushed his victims during the shooting, which constitute as aggravating factors. Booking photos for (from left) Emily Strunk, Dontavious Hetzel and Kevin Wertin. Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families. Attack 1. [184], Bottom left: Map of Colorado with Aurora marked, James Holmes (mass murderer) Detention and pretrial court appearances, James Holmes (mass murderer) Verdict and sentencing, U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado, Tarasoff v. Regents of the University of California, List of rampage killers in the United States, "Aurora, Colo theater shooting timeline, facts", "James Holmes appears in court being accused of killing 12 people in Aurora cinema shooting", "Officials release complete list of injured victims in Aurora massacre", "Colo. shooting DA says two evaluations found Holmes sane", "Theater shooter Holmes gets 12 life sentences, plus 3,318 years", "12 shot dead, 58 wounded in Aurora movie theater during Batman premier", "Family identifies 27-year-old victim of Aurora theater shooting", "James Holmes: Read timeline of his actions before and after Aurora theater shooting", "Long awaited trial begins for Aurora movie theater shooting defendant", "Gunman turns 'Batman' screening into real-life 'horror film', "Aurora shooting suspect left apartment "booby trapped," music blaring", "Aurora theater shooting trial adjourns for day", "Questions, but few answers, in Colorado shooting; 12 dead, dozens hurt", "Colorado theater shooting: 12 shot dead during The Dark Knight Rises screening", "Colo. theater trial adjourns for day after emotional 911 call", "Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates on Movie Shooting", "Rifle failure that stopped yet more batman carnage", "Colorado shooting spree could have been worse; shooter's gun jammed, official says", "Police: Suspect wore body armor, used assault rifle, shotgun, Glock handgun in theater attack", "Batman premiere gunman looked like 'assassin ready for war', "Aurora witnesses describe shooter's entrance, chaos", Aurora police testify in James Holmes' trial: 240 ballistic impacts found after theater shooting, "Police say Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes had 2 pistols, assault rifle, shotgun", "Sources: Shooter Took Prescription Drug Before Attack", "Aurora police sergeant describes lifesaving theater-shooting decision", "Colorado police officer says movie theater gunman was 'very calm', "New details emerge in hearing for Colorado theater shooting suspect", "Shooting suspect in court with orange-red hair", "Aurora 'Dark Knight' Suspect James Holmes Says He 'Was the Joker': Cops", "James Holmes claimed to be the Joker, NYPD Commish says", "James Holmes makes court appearance in Colorado theater shooting", "The Joker Didn't Inspire the Aurora Shooter, but the Rumor Won't Go Away", "Gun's magazine shaped the pace of Colorado theater massacre", "On video, theater gunman says killings got him 'value units', "Aurora shooting suspect James Holmes jailed in solitary: 'All the inmates were talking about killing him', "Aurora shooting: 12 dead as gunman opens fire at movie theater: as it happened", "Colo. shooting suspect James Holmes' apartment booby trapped, police say", "Slideshow: Aurora theater shooting scene, suspect's booby-trapped apartment", "Colorado Movie Theater Shooting: Suspect Bought 4 Guns, 6,000 Rounds of Ammunition in Past 60 Days", "Police at Home of Colorado Suspect Disarm Major Threats", "Official: Trap in Colorado suspect's home had 30 homemade grenades, gasoline", "Detonation and fire possible at Colo. apartment", "Massacre suspect's neighbor: 'I'm counting my lucky stars', "Loud Music Used To Lure People to Booby-Trapped Apt", "Theater massacre suspect appears in Colorado courtroom", "Movie massacre suspect mum; Batman mask found", "Photos: Residents allowed back into building where alleged shooter lived", "Colorado Movie Theater Shooting: 70 Victims the Largest Mass Shooting", "Colorado Massacre Could Have Been Worse", "Obama offers condolences, community grieves in vigil for DKR shooting victims", "50 dead, Islamic terrorism tie eyed in Orlando gay bar shooting", "Should the Colorado Theater Shooting Spur More Gun Control? ", "Aurora heroes: Three who gave their lives", "Colorado shooting survivor tells how Crystal Lake boyfriend John Larimer shielded her before he died", "A look at the Lives of Colorado shooting victims", "People of the State of Colorado v. James Eagan Holmes", "Why Jessica Ghawi Wrote Under The Name Redfield: Moving Stories From The Shooting Victim's Colleagues", "Remembering aspiring sports journalist a year after Aurora shooting", "Jessica Ghawi: Victim of Colorado theatre shooting was also at Eaton Centre shooting", "Theater Shooting Victims Are 4 Months Old To Adults", "Hospital bills forgiven for Colorado shooting victims", "Woman who lost everything caps prosecution in Holmes trial", "Comedy helps pull Caleb Medley through tragedy of Aurora shootings", "Caleb Medley Recovery: Last Aurora Shooting Victim Leaves Colo. Hospital", "James Holmes guilty of murder in Colorado theater massacre; jury to weigh death penalty", "Shooting Victims Gain Veto Power in Donation Distribution", "Aurora movie theater shooting victims to respond to surveys", "Theater shooting: Payments from Aurora victim fund set, families of the dead get $220,000", James Holmes Mugshot: Aurora Shooting Suspect's Booking Picture Released" (PHOTO), Alex Brandon (AP), "Again appearing dazed in court, Holmes charged| Prosecutors and defense attorneys spar over whether a notebook that he reportedly sent to a psychiatrist is privileged information", "Colo. In an interview on CNN, Teves' parents said they and the relatives of other victims believe the mass media coverage of Holmes' name and photo may inspire others to commit mass shootings for notoriety. [90], On May 26, details of Holmes' notebook, reportedly found in a university mail room addressed to his psychiatrist Lynne Fenton, were entered into evidence at the trial for the first time. ChristopherMartinez, the suspect,is Estancias son andthe other two victims are his siblings, the affidavit said. [40] Holmes' apartment complex is limited to University of Colorado Medical Center students, patients, and employees. DNA evidence ties Ewing to the crime. [20] Ambulances were hindered by chaos and congestion in the parking lot, and they were unable to reach the back of the complex where police had pulled the injured out through the emergency exit doors of Theatre 9. According to Teves' father, the campaign's incentive is to encourage media outlets to limit the usage of the suspect's name and photos when reporting about the Aurora shooting, as well as other mass shootings that receive national media coverage. Investigators interviewed Martinez after reading him his Miranda Rights and he told them he picked up Kaden after he got off work on Friday, Dec. 9 around 5 p.m. She was hospitalized in a coma with serious facial injuries that left her paralyzed on her left side, Connie said. Only 3-year-old Vanessa, at right, survived. It's still unclear if the Aurora Police Department and Arapahoe County District Attorney are going to charge or just name a inmate serving an 8 to 40 year prison sentence as the prime suspect in a brutal quadruple homicides known as the Colorado Hammer Murders. [86][88] Jurors examined the evidence for thirty minutes. [64][failed verification] On July 25, three of the five hospitals treating victims announced they would limit medical bills or forgive them entirely. Aurora Police detectives say they were both murdered in Hutt's apartment on Christmas Eve on Boston Street and 16th Avenue. [148], Cinemark agreed to pay any funeral expenses incurred by the deceased victims' families not covered by the Crime Victims' Compensation Fund. The passenger sees something in the ditch and makes the driver go back. AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) Update 7:16 p.m. Police said 39-year-old Nicholas Walker, who was wanted on attempted second-degree murder, was arrested without incident. Note: This case is now SOLVED! [181] The reopening ceremony, which was boycotted by opponents of the theater's reopening, included a memorial service and a screening of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Ewings trial in the Bennett killings will begin Friday in Douglas County with jury selection; opening statements are expected Tuesday. Link Copied! On March 3, 1967, Charles Brett Lange was found legally insane & sent to the Colorado State Hospital instead of prison. [31][33][34] Later, the Colorado district attorney who prosecuted Holmes said he never called himself The Joker, and blamed the federal officials for the rumor. Arapahoe County district attorney George Brauchler said: "It's my determination and my intention that in this case for James Eagan Holmes justice is death. After a search warrant was approved by a court judge, APD Major Crimes Homicide Unit detectives found Kaden with what appeared to be multiple stab wounds. He . They were living in Aurora and planned to make a life together there. She told him it was just a dream and to go back to bed, the affidavit said. The memorial, titled "Ascentiate," was designed by artist Douwe Blumberg. He then dragged Marisol into the bedroom with Estancia and shot them. [111] At the end of the hearing on August 26, Samour formally sentenced Holmes to 12 life imprisonment sentences without parole and a maximum of 3,318 additional years on attempted murder and explosives possession convictions. 11. [57][58] The people murdered were:[59][60], Ghawi had survived the Eaton Centre shooting in Toronto that occurred a month prior. He had serious brain damage and an injury to his right eye from a shotgun blast to the head, and underwent three brain surgeries. [16] A bullet passed through the wall and hit three people in adjacent theater 8, which was screening the same film. [150] As of 2020, Cinemark Theatres has not released any photographs or video evidence. He also said claims alleging violations of the Colorado Premises Liability Act could proceed. He said he told her that he had a bad dream about his family but that she told him it was only a dream and not to worry about it. local news and culture, Michael Roberts When he got there an hour later, he told them had obtained a concealed carry permit and showed them a black handgun. [77], On August 9, Holmes' attorneys said he is mentally ill and they needed more time to assess the nature of his illness. Both parents were bludgeoned with a hammer, and the attacker also used a knife. Days earlier, on Jan. 4, 1984, someone slipped inside an Aurora home and used a hammer to beat a couple, who both survived. [31][32] Three days later, at his first court appearance in Centennial, Colorado, Holmes's hair appeared reddish-orange. [166] Attorney Christina Habas, who represents several theater victims, has said: "We essentially don't have a single photograph, a single piece of evidence that we can show to a jury". Colorado, a state where open carry is legal, has suffered through some of the most deadly mass shootings in American history, including the 1999 Columbine shooting and the Aurora theater attack in . [19][20][21] Finally, he fired a .40-caliber Glock 22 Gen4 handgun. NEW: Police release photos from the 1980s of Alex Christopher Ewing, suspect in 1984 hammer killings of Patricia Louise Smith and Bruce, Debra and Melissa Bennett. [139], Warner Bros. instructed cinemas to stop screening a trailer for the film Gangster Squad, which preceded The Dark Knight Rises screenings in some cities (though not in Aurora),[140] because it contained a scene involving the main characters shooting at a movie theater audience with machine guns. [168] The judge allowed Cinemark Theatres to submit a bill of costs to the plaintiffs to recover expenses due to the litigation, as Colorado state law allows for prevailing parties. [13] He was listening to techno music through a set of headphones so that he could not hear anything from people in the theater. [174] Gun sales in Washington, Florida, California, and Georgia also increased. [41][42] One day after the shooting, officials disarmed an explosive device that was wired to the apartment's front door, allowing a remote-controlled robot to enter and disable other explosives. [93] On June 8, a second psychiatrist, Jeffrey Metzner, testified that Holmes was mentally ill but legally sane during the shooting, and suffers from schizoaffective disorder. independent local journalism in Denver. [134] Warner Bros. reportedly made a "substantial" donation to Colorado's Community First Foundation to benefit victims. They collected a piece of carpet from under Melissas body, and a comforter on the girls bed. [16], Holmes reportedly threw one canister towards the left[17] side of the theatre, emitting a gas or smoke, that partially obscured the audience members' vision, made their throats and skin itch, and caused eye irritation. They called the Aurora Police Department around 5 p.m. on Dec. 11 and requested a welfare check after they had not heard from their other daughter and granddaughter all day, the document said. . Thirty-seven-and-a-half years ago, Connie, now 87, said Wednesday. [112], The evening after the shooting, a candlelight vigil was held at the site in Aurora. Martinez called his grandparents again around 8 a.m. and told them he wanted to come to see them. A Kane County jury Thursday convicted an Aurora man of murdering a man he suspected belonged to a rival gang. Denver's independent source of When officers responded to the call and went by the home in the 1500 block of South Evanston Street, they saw the garage door partially open and lights on in the home, according to the affidavit. On March 23, Boulder, Colorado officials announced that Ahmed Alissa is being charged with 10 counts of murder in the first degree. [151], Soon after the shooting, police departments and cinemas across the United States and around the world increased security for fear of copycat incidents. On July 16, 2015, James Holmes was found guilty on all 165 counts against . Colorado residents are once again shocked and heartbroken and struggling to understand why mass shootings keep happening in their state. [51][52] Seventy were hit by bullets, and were reported by mainstream news as the most victims of any mass shooting in United States history. [49] Two days later, residents were allowed to return to the four surrounding buildings, and six days later, residents were allowed to move back into the formerly booby-trapped building. The Lakewood Police Department believe there are two groups involved. Holmes chose not to testify. AURORA, Colo. July 26, 2012 -- The movie theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., was not the city's first massacre. Alex Christopher Ewing has been in a Nevada Prison for most of the past 34 yrs for a similar . Woman stabs man she is staying with in Aurora hotel. At the conclusion, Judge Sylvester decided there was enough relevant, admissible evidence to proceed to a trial. "Once on scene, officers found a 42-year-old man . Sgt. Now that the victims have received their fair share of justice, ID's People Magazine Investigates plans to retrace the steps back to 1984, when the Hammer Killer went on a 12-day-long murder spree. Triple-homicide suspect accused of killing mother, siblings. Then, just as the community was reeling from this attack, 50-year-old Patricia Smith became a murder victim at her Lakewood, Colorado, home on January 10, 1984. In 1993, a 19-year-old gunman shot and killed three teenagers and their manager at a . Face of the man accused of 1984 Hammer Attack Triple Murder in Aurora & Lakewood Murder. By the time the Bennetts were killed days later, authorities believed one attacker was responsible for the spree, and they went to great lengths to secure evidence in the killings. A second trial was attempted earlier this year which went on for five days and took the jury over five hours to come up with a verdict that found him guilty of first-degree murder. September 29, 2021 recess on the first day of his Aurora Hammer Murder trial July 27 at the Arapahoe County Courthouse . [71], On November 16, 2012, the Aurora Victim Relief Fund announced that each family of the dead would receive $220,000. [25], The first phone calls to emergency services via 9-1-1 were made at 12:39a.m. Police arrived within 90seconds[26] and found three .40-caliber handgun magazines, a shotgun, and a large drum magazine on the floor of the theater. One recent report noted that "the gun murder rate in the U.S. is almost 20 times higher than the next 22 richest This past summer a young man named James Holmes bought four guns at local shops and more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition on the Internet in the two months prior to opening up inside a movie theatre in Aurora, Colorado. Martinezs grandparents, Eugene and Dallas Martinez, live in Texas and were staying with one of their daughters in Firestone, according to the affidavit. Please see update. Gun sales increased in Colorado, and political debates were generated about gun control in the United States. [86], The trial started on April 27, 2015. Detectives then asked Martinez about what his grandmother told them that he admitted to killing Estancia, Marisol and Kaden. [163][164] On January 24, 2013, U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael Hegarty issued a recommendation that most of the claims be thrown out, as they were not allowable under Colorado law. [50], Twelve fatalities were reported along with 70 injuries. [141][142] The film's release date was rescheduled to January 2013, and the theater scene was replaced by a new sequence in a different setting.