Posted: 07/20/2012
SAN DIEGO - First responders to the Aurora theater shooting at first thought the shooter was a fellow officer, and the shooter had taken 100mg of Vicodin about two and half hours before the shooting, according to information from sources.
James E. Holmes, a 24-year-old former grad student who police identified as the shooter, told police he was acting alone and tipped them to the bobby trapped explosives in his Aurora apartment. But he then asked for a lawyer and stopped cooperating.
According to sources, he had nine clips in an ammo carrier and police found at least three .40-caliber magazines, a shotgun and a large drum magazine on the floor when they arrived.
One source believed the ammo drum for the AR-15 had jammed sometime during the shooting.
Sources describe an eerie scene with dying and wounded people on the floor, strobe lights flashing through the smoke, screaming sirens and the Batman movie playing in the background.
The incident started with Holmes was in the theater watching movie for a few minutes when some witness said he left and returned dressed in the body armor and tactical gear, according to sources.
He threw of what appeared to be tear gas grenades and began firing three weapons -- a 12-gauge shotgun, a .40 caliber Glock pistol and an AR-15 assault rifle, according to sources.
Holmes exited the theater where he was confronted by at least two officers.
Copyright 2010 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Did You Hear?
A Wales woman launched a website called the Proposal Expert, a site where she will put together two unique proposal ideas based on your relationship, budget, and individual personalities.
The puppy was dropped off at an animal shelter without its mother when he was just one-day old. Luckily, Lurlene and her litter welcomed him with no hesitation.
The zoo in Novosibirsk in Russia is home to a unique animal -- the liliger. Only three of them exist at this zoo.
More National
A new wildfire in the foothills southwest of Denver forced the evacuation of dozens of homes Wednesday.