Though The Dark Knight Rises played to mostly full houses in its opening weekend, the horrific shooting rampage at a midnight screening in Aurora, Colo., has raised moviegoers’ anxieties as theaters and audiences remain on edge for fear of copycat criminals. “I have to admit that as we were walking to the theater from the car I thought where should we sit that gives us the best chance of escape should there be a copycat,” says Will Kilfoyle, 37, a first grade teacher in Sacramento, Calif., who saw the film on Friday night. “The thought crossed my mind even though I am fully aware that the chance of me getting struck by lightening is probably higher.”

Kilfoyle is not alone. In Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Friday night, a man who appeared inebriated and acted strangely during a showing of The Dark Knight Rises was arrested after a confrontation caused “mass hysteria” as people fled the theater, according to the Associated Press. Michael William Borboa, 27, who had entered the theater with a backpack, was arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct, and threatening and intimidating. No weapons were found in Borboa’s backpack, which held only alcohol containers. READ FULL STORY »

Image Credit: Aurora Police Dept.

His hair dyed a shocking comic-book shade of orange-red, the former doctoral student accused of killing moviegoers at a showing of the new Batman movie appeared in court for the first time on Monday, but he didn’t seem to be there at all. James Holmes shuffled into court in a maroon jailhouse jumpsuit with his hands cuffed — the first look the world got of the 24-year-old since the Friday shooting that left 12 people dead and 58 others injured at a packed midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises.

Unshaven and appearing dazed, Holmes sat virtually motionless during the hearing, his eyes drooping as the judge advised him of the severity of the case. At one point, Holmes simply closed his eyes. Prosecutors said they didn’t know if he was being medicated. Throughout the hearing, he never said a word. His attorneys did all the talking when the judge asked him if he understood his rights.

His demeanor, however, angered the relatives of some of the victims of the shooting. Some stared at him the entire hearing, including Tom Teves, whose son, Alex, was killed in the attack. Teves watched Holmes intently, sizing him up. “I saw the coward in court today and Alex could have wiped the floor with him without breaking a sweat,” said Teves, whose son, a physical therapist, dove to protect his girlfriend. “You shot a 6-year-old. Come on give me a break. You’re dressed in full combat gear, immediately surrender. Come on. Pick on some guys who know how to use guns,” Teves said. READ FULL STORY »

Image Credit: RJ Sangosti-Pool/Getty Images

His hair dyed orange-red and a dazed look on his face, the man accused of going on a deadly shooting rampage at the opening of the new Batman movie appeared Monday in court for the first time. An unshaven, handcuffed James Holmes, 24, sat in maroon jailhouse jumpsuit as the judge advised him of the case. Holmes sat motionless, his eyes appearing tired and drooping. At one point, he closed his eyes as the judge spoke. Prosecutors said later they didn’t know if Holmes was on medication. Authorities have said he is being held in isolation at the jail.

Holmes didn’t speak once during the hearing. His attorneys answered for him when the judge asked if he understood his rights. One woman’s eyes welled up with tears during the hearing.

Police say Holmes, clad in body armor and armed with an assault rifle, a shotgun and handguns opened fire at a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises, killing 12 people and wounding 58 others. He was arrested shortly after the Friday shooting. He is refusing to cooperate, authorities say. They said it could take months to learn what prompted the attack on the moviegoers. READ FULL STORY »