Eyewitness Jennifer Seeger talks about the confusion surrounding the shooting at the movie theater in Colorado and why she thought it was part of a special effects package for the premiere. Seeger calls the shooting "the most insane thing" she's ever seen.
After a gunman killed 12 people and injured dozens more at a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., during a midnight showing of the new Batman movie Thursday night, politicians and the public reacted with shock and sadness.
Joining Daily Rundown Friday morning, Rep. Ed Perlmutter, who represents Aurora as part of District 7 in Colorado, described the area as a typical suburban community just outside of Denver. He decried the "crazed son-of-a-gun" who had done this. Authorities have identified the suspect as 24-year-old James Holmes. He is in police custody.
"On my way out, all I saw were bodies," said Jennifer Seeger, an eyewitness who was in the theater when the shooting began, to Chuck Todd on Daily Rundown. "It was pure chaos."
Both presidential candidates have issued statements expressing condolences to the victims and their families. President Obama spoke from Florida this morning where he shortened a campaign trip given the tragedy.
"There are going to be other days for politics," the president said from Fort Myers. "This is a day for prayer and reflection."
Republican candidate for president Mitt Romney is also expected to scale back campaign activities today, Todd reported. A series of radio interviews he taped have been put on hold.
Both campaigns pulled their TV advertising in Colorado as well, MSNBC reported.
President Barack Obama:
Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado. Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my Administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time. We are committed to bringing whoever was responsible to justice, ensuring the safety of our people, and caring for those who have been wounded. As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors, and we must stand together with them in the challenging hours and days to come.
Mitt Romney statement:
Ann and I are deeply saddened by the news of the senseless violence that took the lives of 15 people in Colorado and injured dozens more. We are praying for the families and loved ones of the victims during this time of deep shock and immense grief. We expect that the person responsible for this terrible crime will be quickly brought to justice.
On Twitter, politicians tweeted out their condolences.
ChrisMurphyCT Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT)
Stunned and heartbroken at the awful violence in Colorado last night.My heart goes out to the victims, their families, and their communities
NancyPelosi Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) / Minority Leader of House
Our thoughts + prayers are w/ Coloradans as they grapple with the random, senseless act of violence that took the lives of innocent people.
Kevin McCarthy Rep. McCarthy (R-CA) /GOP Whip
I am shocked and saddened by the news of the #TheaterShooting -- my prayers are w/ the families involved & the Colorado community.
D Wasserman Schultz Rep. Wasserman Schultz / DNC Chair
As a mom, I keep thinking,"My kids go to the movies all the time." Heartbreaking, gut-wrenching, senseless tragedy in #Aurora, CO.
cbrangel Rep. Charles Rangel (D-NY)
May peace be with the families and friends of the innocent victims of the tragic shooting in Colorado. America joins you in mourning.
Scott P. Brown Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA)
My thoughts and prayers are with the families in Colorado – deeply saddened by this unspeakable tragedy.
President Barack Obama and GOP nominee Mitt Romney both release statements expressing shock and grief over the mass shootings at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado.
Leave a Comment:
The murder of 15 people at the Cinema 16 in Aurora, Colorado. These peoples only crime, to watch a Batman movie the Rush Limbaugh had disparaged as an anti-Romny conspiracy.
Limbaugh should be held accountable for this heinous act.
godanov
The suspect 24 yr old James Holmes of Aurora Col. is a registered Democrat
Limbaugh's fault? Get your head outta your nether regions. Blame Warner Bros.
Blame yourselves if you want to blame people that weren't involved. People like you placing the blame on others are just like the shooter, rather than taking responsibility for your own life and problems, you blame others...one day unfortunately you may decide to act on it as well. Grow up!
MY HEART AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO THESE PEOPLE AND THEIR FAMILIES............
How many people have to die before we come to understand that assault rifles and other weapons do not belong so freely circulated in our society?
THis only goes to show... any moment can be your last. It is not guns, it is people. And what ever was going on in this young man's mind may never be clear.
Just pray/think gently of the victims and their families and dont make this political. And think good thoughts for Aurora CO. This incidents impact the whole community
The shooter is a Democrat and a member of OWS.
how do you know that,I know that you think that this tragedy is a great opportunity to to get on your soap box....but people are dead. we barely got a picture of this jackass from news reports just minutes ago....please..grow up...show some respect...thank God that YOU...weren't there. a lot of us here in Aurora Co are very upset and your comments are offensive. ..and just plain stupid
This is a horrible tragedy. My thought are with all of the victims and their families. Please try and respect the community by not laying politics here. This is neither the time nor the place.
Why do people always try to blame someone when something terrible happens, and worse, they never blame the person responsible but rather government, God, state or anyone else they are unhappy with! The ONLY person to blame here is the shooter, if you think differently you are simply IGNORANT! People lost their lives, it is NOT the time to blame random folks, it is the time to pray for our country and our people. I am willing to bet the shooter was one of those people that had problems like everyone else and rather than dealing with them he blamed others and therefore took it out on others. People should learn from this, not contribute to the chaos by doing exactly what makes these tragedies more and more common...adding fuel to the fire with ridiculous comments and uneducated statements!
God bless the people of this community and those personally affected by this ridiculous event. My sympathy goes out to you all.
Blame the NRA.
Hi to you folks that commented so positively its really great to know, that people with compassion and kind hearts are still out there....you give me hope....Thanks