The News-Messenger from Fremont, Ohio • Page A7

NATION 7A Saturday, July 21, 2012 The News-Messenger Shooting at Colo, theater shocks movie industry -in iJfh BmT JjViT' -Btf By Jake Coyle Associated Press NEW YORK The movie industry was grappling on Friday with the deadly Colorado shooting at a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises," as one of the most anticipated films of the decade became enmeshed with a horrifying tragedy. The shooting, which killed 12 and left at least 50 injured in an Aurora, movie theater, reverberated through Hollywood and upended carefully laid plans for the global release of "The Dark Knight Rises." Warner Bros, quickly canceled a premiere planned for Paris and canceled press interviews in France. "Warner Bros, and the filmmakers are deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident," read a statement from Warner Bros. "We extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to the victims, their loved ones and those affected by this tragedy." The studio was rushing to react to the tragedy. Dan Fellman, head of distribution for Warner Bros, said he had been up since 4 a.m.

making calls. "Everybody is very saddened by the event. We were obviously looking for a very happy occasion for us," Fell-man said. "It's a difficult way to begin. We're just more concerned now with the well-being of those that were injured, of course." The studio had no further comment on whether screenings might be canceled, or precautions taken.

Director Christopher Nolan and actor Christian Bale did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Warner Bros, did move to pull trailers for its upcoming movie "Gangster Squad" from showings of "The Dark Knight Rises." The trailer of the film, which stars Sean Penn and Ryan Gosling in a ruthless war between '40s Los Angeles police and the mob, includes a scene of mobsters firing into a movie theater from behind the screen. A person familiar with what was shown at the Aurora theater said the trailer did not play there. The person did not want to be identified because the person was not authorized to speak on the matter. Cinemark Holdings, the chain that owns the theater where the shooting happened, said it was working closely with local law enforcement.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and loved ones, our the Aurora community," the company said. Movie theaters around the country continued Friday showings of the film as planned, though some were stepping up security. New York police commissioner Raymond Kelly said the city was providing an extra security in New York theaters playing "The Dark Knight Rises" "as a precaution against copycats and to raise the comfort levels among movie patrons." In the wake of the shooting, "The Dark Knight Rises" and the earlier Batman films, with their dark themes and emphasis on terrorism, were sure to be heavily scrutinized. The practice of midnight screenings for eagerly anticipated blockbusters, too, could come into question. Kelly also said the suspected gunman, James Police are pictured outside of a Century 16 movie theatre where as many as 14 people were killed and many injured at a shooting during the showing of a movie at the in Aurora, on Friday, ap ty for theater owners," adding that the group would work closely with law enforcement and review security procedures.

"We share the shock and sadness of everyone in the motion picture community at the news of this terrible event," said former Sen. Chris Dodd, chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association of America. "We extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to the victims, their loved ones and all those affected by this tragedy." "The Dark Knight Rises" had expectations of being one of the biggest weekend openings ever. Its midnight screenings earned $30.6 million, Warner said Friday. That's the second-best Holmes, had his hair painted red and identified himself to authorities saying he was the Joker.

Colorado authorities would not confirm that information, but Aurora police Chief Dan Oates said he had spoken to Kelly, who is a former colleague. Heath Ledger played the Joker in the previous Batman installment, "The Dark Knight," although his hair was colored green. Ledger died in 2008 before the film was released from a toxic combination of prescription drugs. The National Association of Theatre Owners issued a statement offering their "hearts and prayers" to the victims. The association said, "Guest safety is, and will continue to be a priori midnight opening ever, behind $43.5 million for the "Harry Potter" finale.

"The Dark Knight" earned a then-record $158.4 million in its first three days, including $18.5 million from midnight screenings. The film played in roughly 3,700 theaters domestically in the midnight screenings, expanding to 4,404 cinemas nationwide Friday. Many showings on the weekend were sold out in advance. Paul Dergarabedian, an analyst for Hollywood.com who specializes in box office, declined to speculate on an effect the tragedy might have on the film over the weekend. But some moviegoers were already rethinking their plans.

Christine Cooley, who works for the University of Florida at a campus facility near Tampa, said she and her 15-year-old daughter were stunned by the TV coverage of the shooting Friday morning. "Her immediate reaction was 'I'm never going to the movie theater again. Why should I go somewhere where I'm looking over my shoulder worrying that someone is going to come in and harm us when I can wait six months and watch it in the safety of my own Cooley said she tried to explain to her daughter that it was an isolated incident, "but I see where she's coming from. Why put yourself in harm's way." Neighbor of Colo, suspect says he was shy Paving Commercial Sealcoating Driveways Residential Parking Lots This photo provided by the University of Colorado shows James Holmes. University spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery says 24-year-old Holmes, who police say is the suspect in a mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater, was studying neuroscience in a Ph.D.

program at the University of Colorado-Denver graduate school, ap Free Estimates ACTION ASPHALT were no records found under his name, not even for a traffic ticket. Riverside County prosecutors also have no criminal record for him, said John Hall, a spokesman for the district attorney's office. A furniture mover who lives several blocks from the suspect's Aurora apartment building said he shared a beer with him Tuesday at a neighborhood bar where they talked about Denver Bronco Peyton Manning. Jackie Mitchell said he recognized Holmes' photo on television as the guy he met at the bar. He described him as smart with a "swagger." "We just talked about football.

He had a backpack and geeky classes and seemed like a real intelligent guy and I figured he was one of the college students," he said. There was no reference made to a planned shooting, Mitchell said. Anthony Mai, a 16-year-old who grew up next door to Holmes, said Holmes largely kept to himself but his behavior was nothing out of the ordinary. "He felt a little bit concealed, but it wasn't too much. It was all right" he said.

"This is just a feeling in my gut, but I felt like he had something, like he was being picked on or something." Happy 50tk Anniversary Rafael and Maria Curbelo July 21, 1962 Saturday, July 28 10am-3 pm Croquet 11 am-3 pm Fremont's Got Talent local talent contest 11 am-4pm Concessions 12-4 pm Collectible Car Show pm Auction $1 00 pp Thank you for all the wonderful years. Sj 1 3s Ravmmi and i 1 -e. By Elliot Spagat and Julie Watson Associated Press SAN DIEGO Those who knew the 24-year-old man in custody for the mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater describe him as a shy, intelligent person raised in California by parents who were active in their well-to-do suburban neighborhood. James Holmes, who was studying neuroscience in a Ph.D. program in Colorado, grew up in San Diego, where his parents still live on a quiet, street of two-story homes with red tile roofs.

He played soccer at West-view High School and ran cross country before going to college. Neighbors say the family belonged to a Presbyterian church and hosted a Christmas party for residents. Many families choose the San Diego neighborhood because it is part of the well-regarded Poway Unified School District, one of the best in California. On Friday morning, police escorted the suspect's father, a manager of a software company, from their San Diego home. The mother, a nurse, stayed inside, receiving family visitors who came to offer support.

The suspect also has a younger sister. San Diego police spokeswoman Lt. Andra Brown, spoke to reporters in the driveway of the Holmes' home, on behalf of the family. "As you can understand, the Holmes family is very upset about all of this," she said. "It's a tragic event and it's taken everyone by surprise.

They are definitely trying to work through this." The family in a written statement said "our hearts go out to those who were involved in this tragedy and to the families and friends of those involved. We ask that the media respect our privacy during this difficult time." Police in Colorado said Holmes fired into a crowded movie theater in the Denver suburb of Aurora while wearing a gas mask, killing 12 people and wounding 59 others. He was in police custody in Colorado and the FBI said there was no indication the attack was tied to any terrorist groups. There have been no indications so far that Holmes had any run-ins with the law before Friday. San Diego Superior Court spokeswoman Karen Dalton said there Hayes Presidential Center Fremont Ohio 800.998.7737www.rbhayes.org SviJ ft Feel free to send your congratulation! OH-DDDD795672 An aggressive cancer gets stopped in its tracks.

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