NEWS/ Dark Knight Rises Shooting: Police Identify Suspect, Paris Premiere Canceled

Federal authorities have identified the gunman who opened fire at a Colorado screening of The Dark Knight Rises as 24-year old James Holmes, NBC News has
confirmed. Twelve people have been
reported dead and at least 38 were injured after Holmes allegedly stormed a midnight
screening of the film at a mall in the Denver suburb of Aurora, set off a smoke bomb,
and went on a shooting rampage


Earlier reports state that the gunman had been wearing a
bulletproof vest and carried a rifle, handgun and knife. Another
gun was purportedly recovered at the theater.
Ten were killed at the scene, and the rest died at local
hospitals, according to local police.
Various reports have also pegged Holmes as a former medical
student.
Meanwhile, police have evacuated buildings surrounding
Holmes' Denver-area apartment after determining that it was
booby-trapped. According to reports, bomb technicians have
been dispatched in order to disarm explosive materials found in
Holmes third-floor apartment, which is about four miles from
where the shootings occurred.
Earlier in the day, a San Diego woman who identified herself as
Holmes' mother spoke with ABC News said that she was not
aware of the shootings and had yet to be contacted by police.
"You have the right person," she reportedly said, concerned
about her son's alleged involvement. "I need to call the police,"
she added. "I need to fly out to Colorado.
The tragedy has boosted heightened security at screenings of
the movie.
In New York, the NYPD plans to beef up security measures at
local theaters, and per The Hollywood Reporter, Police
Commissioner Ray Kelly said in a statment that the reinforced
efforts are "a precaution against copycats and to raise the
comfort levels among movie patrons in the wake of the
horrendous shooting in Colorado."


Los Angeles police have also bolstered their security efforts.
NBC News confirms that officers checked several L.A.
theaters Friday morning for any safety issues or suspicious
activity.
"The theaters were made aware of the shooting and the
potential for copycaters and what to look for," said LAPD
Hollywood Division Sgt. Chuck Slater.
Meanwhile, Warner Bros., the studio behind the movie, is
scrambling in the wake of the tragedy and has canceled the
film's Paris premiere.
The premiere was set to have taken place Friday night and
include director Christopher Nolan as well as stars Christian
Bale, Anne Hathaway and Morgan Freeman.
The studio has also reportedly canceled all media interviews
and promotional appearances with the cast as the film heads
into its highly anticipated opening weekend.