At Least 12 Killed at 'Dark Knight Rises' Shooting in Colorado

At least 12 people are reported dead and 50 others are wounded in a shooting that broke out during a midnight showing Thursday of "The Dark Knight Rises" in suburban Denver, according to media reports.

Suspect James Holmes, 24, is in custody, according to Aurora, Colo., police.

Witnesses at the Century 16 movie theater said the gunman, wearing military-type fatigues and gas mask, set off a smoke bomb and then made his way through the theater, gunning people down.

Bullets went through the theater wall, injuring people in the screening next door, as well.

The Huffington Post reported that some 250 police officers responded to the scene and found the suspect near a car at the back of the theater. He was carrying a knife, handgun and rifle and wearing a bulletproof vest.

Police originally announced that 14 people had died in the attack, but revised the death toll around 7:45 a.m., NBC News reported.

The latest in the "Batman" movie series premiered Thursday nationwide, including Gwinnett County.

Various people in the area to weigh in on the incident.

"Our hearts and prayers go out to all the victims and their familes in this senseless tragedy," said Pastor John Byerly of in Snellville. "I don't think any of us can understand what drives a person to do such evil. Things like this can drive us to fear and despair, but I hope they drive us instead to faith and courage. It is the Lord's help me need more than any in this nation.

Evil will not triumph where faith is strong."  

One reader posted on the Snellville Patch Facebook page:

"A very dark night for many....this could happen anywhere. Security I imagine for movie outlets will have to be increase like other events in our world. I pray for the families...."

A Lilburn-Mountain Park Patch Facebook reader had simply this to say: "Sad times."

AMC, the second-largest movie theater chain in the country, with a nearby location at Discover Mills, said this in an email statement:

"We are terribly saddened by the random act of violence in Aurora and our thoughts are with the victims and their families. For the safety and security of our guests and associates, we are actively working with local law enforcement in communities throughout the nation and under the circumstances we are reaching out to all of our theatres to review our safety and security procedures. Being a safe place in the community for all our guests is a top priority at AMC and we take that responsibility very seriously.

Regal, the largest movie theater chain in the country, with a nearby theater at Hollywood 24 (Interstate 85), said this in a statement on its Facebook page:

"We are profoundly saddened by the tragedy that occurred at a Denver area theatre and are concerned for the victims and their families. The security and safety of our guests and staff is always our number one priority.  As is our custom, we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our security needs as necessary. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families."

Will the Colorado shooting affect whether you see "The Dark Knight"?  Should more security measures be imposed in public spaces? Tell us in the comments below.