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US cinema shooting kills 14

July 20, 2012

Fourteen people were killed and dozens of others wounded in a shooting at a cinema in the US state of Colorado. Police have arrested the suspected gunman.

https://p.dw.com/p/15byO
People gather outside the Century 16 movie theatre in Aurora, Colo., at the scene of a mass shooting early Friday morning, July 20, 2012.
Image: AP

At least 14 people were killed and 50 others injured after a gunman opened fire at a cinema in the US state of Colorado on Friday.

Ten of the victims died at the scene of the shooting, while four others succumbed to their wounds at local hospitals.

The shooting came at the local premiere of the latest Batman film in the town of Aurora, on the outskirts of Denver. Witnesses said that some movie-goers had dressed in costumes for the midnight showing, possibly making it easier for the gunman to blend into the crowd.

Police said they had arrested a suspect shortly after the incident occurred but did not release a name.

"Witnesses tell us he released some sort of canister," Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates told a press conference. "They heard a hissing sound and some gas emerged and the gunman opened fire."

Oates also said that contrary to earlier reports, just one suspect was believed to have been involved in the shooting. There was no immediate word on a motive.

pfd/msh (Reuters, AFP, AP)