Twelve people were killed and some 50 were wounded Friday when a masked assailant burst into the premiere of the new Batman film in Aurora, Colorado, just outside of Denver, and opened fire in the packed theatre after setting off two tear gas devices. A 24-year-old suspect was arrested in the theatre parking lot after the shocking attack, and police were searching a flat after he spoke about possible explosives at his residence. The attacker opened fire in the theatre at the Aurora Mall, where The Dark Knight Rises was playing in a festive midnight screening with some in the audience dressed as the iconic superhero. Among the injured was a 3-month-old infant, according to 9News Denver. US President Barack Obama said the tragedy would bring together the American people. He cancelled further campaign rallies in Florida and was due to return to the White House. "This morning we woke up to news of a tragedy that reminds us of all the ways we are united as one American family," Obama said at an event that was to have been a campaign rally in Florida. Federal authorities named the suspect behind the attack as James Holmes, born on December 13, 1987, according to broadcaster CNN. He had no previous run-ins with the law except traffic tickets, 9News Denver reported. The gunman's motive remains unclear.
