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| The honor student, who moved to Colorado last year to study psychiatric disorders, broke up in June. In recent months, he bought four guns and allegedly booby-trapped apartment with incendiary devices and a variety of chemical reactions. |
A law enforcement official confirmed that Holmes had two pistols, rifles and semi-automatic rifles, have brightly colored hair red or orange, and told police that he was the Joker, a fictional villain in the previous Batman comics and movies. Holmes did not cooperate with the government, in addition to revealing that his apartment was rigged with explosives. He is represented by a lawyer.
One difficulty for researchers is that the explosives in the apartment was the only suspect in the shooting is so hard to get to a computer, any writings or other information that could explain the motive, why is he apparently committed mass murder. Police called it "a vexing problem." Police will say nothing about the possible motive or what Holmes attitude has been. Police have suspended their efforts during the night to enter the apartment.
In the last 60 days, police said, Holmes purchased more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition, weapons stores and via the Internet.
The gunman was reported to have never said anything while shooting 71 people and killed 12 in the event sold out for the Batman movie 'The Dark Knight Rises. "NBC's Miguel Almaguer reports.
24 years old from San Diego, known as Jimmy's friend, is a Ph.D. students on the campus of the University of Colorado Medical School in Aurora, university spokesman told NBC News.
"University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus confirm that Mr. James Holmes in the process of withdrawing from the University of Colorado Denver graduate program in neuroscience," the university statement said. "Mr. Holmes enrolled at the university in June 2011."
A last semester of poor
The Washington Post reported that a neuroscience faculty member in Colorado who said he taught Holmes said he immediately thought of Holmes when he heard that a student is accused of the shooting. Holmes said faculty members "very quiet, strangely quiet in class" and seemed "socially active."
Holmes was very bad on the comprehensive exams last semester, the instructor told the Post, and the school was considering putting him in academic probation, but does not consider the expulsions.
Aurora, Colorado, police said they were working on the strip "flammable or explosive materials" at home James Holmes, suspected shooter movie theater, and NBC's Pete Williams has more details about the shooter apartment.
The site university courses listed as one of the Biological Basis of Life and Neurological Disorders. He enrolled in classes such as web sites to make presentations in the spring on microRNA biomarkers.
University of California, Riverside, confirmed that a student named James Eagan Holmes, with the same date of birth, graduating with a degree in neuroscience in 2010. He graduated in four years, comes from fall 2006 to spring 2010. Public records show that Holmes lived in Aurora has a previous address in the dorms Riverside.
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Do you know James Holmes? If you have any information, send email to Bill Dedman of NBC News.
"A little strange, very smart'' '
A student who lived across the hall from Holmes on the Cal-Riverside, who requested anonymity, said Holmes completed the awards program and is a member of Phi Beta Kappa and Golden Key honor society.
"I always thought it rather strange that I can not put my finger on it. But something told me to not be close to him, women's instinct I guess," said student NBC News. "I have tons of classes with him and stayed in front of the dorm Honors He was a very smart man though .. He's a little weird, but we respect the students, the public is kind of weird."
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Aurora Police Chief And Oates said Holmes, born December 13, 1987, is a person who is believed to have killed at least 12 people Friday morning at midnight showing of the new Batman movie in Aurora, a suburb of Denver. At least 58 people were wounded, almost all of them with bullets, but some other way in the chaos, Oates said.
Holmes has not been charged with any crime and will appear in court on Monday.
"We are convinced that he acted alone," said Oates. He said he had no way of knowing how many rounds have been fired, but "many, many." CNN said the gunman had a magazine that will contain more than 100 rounds.
Holmes was arrested without resistance in a white Hyundai car in the parking lot the theater, parked right outside the back door of the theater.
He was wearing a bulletproof ballistic helmet or black, tactical ballistic vest with pockets, ballistic leggings, throat and groin protectors, gas masks and ballistic tactical gloves, Oates said.
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University of Colorado
James Holmes, the suspect in the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shooting.
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In addition to the two tubes, may hold the tear gas, four guns were found at the scene, said Oates.
- Two .40 caliber pistol was, made by Glock. At least one of them is used, the police chief said. Holmes has purchased more than 3,000 rounds of ammunition, .40 caliber, Oates said.
- One rifle, Remington Model 870, one of the most popular models. Pump action, single barrel, 12 gauge, with 300 rounds.
- And one gun Smith & Wesson AR-15 type, .223 caliber, which is called by some an "assault rifle." These weapons can accommodate large ammunition clips, and Holmes has a "clip drum" which will bring more than 100 rounds, Oates said. With the clip, he could fire 50 to 60 rounds in a minute, even if the gun is considered a semi-automatic, not automatic, Oates said. He had 3,000 rounds of ammunition for this rifle.
The officials told NBC News that the four legally purchased, started in May, of the two national chains: Guns Gander Mountain and Bass Pro Shops.
Bass Pro Shops issued a statement saying that the employees at the Denver store to follow all laws when they sold two guns to Holmes. "We want to offer our deepest sympathy to the victims and their families," said Larry Whiteley, manager of communications for the company. "This is a heartbreaking tragedy, and we join with all Americans in offering our prayer support Based on our records review, personnel at our Denver store is properly and fully following all federal requirements in connection with the sale of a rifle and a pistol. With the individuals identified in this incident Background checks, as required by Federal law, which was done,. and he agreed. Once again, our hearts go to the victims and their families. We also offer our support and appreciation to law enforcement and emergency response professionals and all others who responded to provide assistance to innocent victims. "
CNN spoke with the CEO TacticalGear.com, which said it sold urban assault Holmes Blackhawk vest for $ 107, along with a triple pistol magazine, M16 magazine pouch and a silver knife.
The only police record prior to Holmes was ticketed in October 2011, the head of it.
NBC's Pete Williams reports Colorado gunman was identified as James Holmes carrying two pistols, shotguns, and rifles to the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises," and said authorities are looking into how he could enter the theater through the emergency exit.
Family statement
Holmes family, who lives in Rancho Penasquitos, well-to-do suburban communities in the northeastern part of San Diego, issued a statement through the San Diego Police Department.
"Our hearts go out to those involved in this tragedy and to family and friends of those involved," the statement said. "We request the media respect our privacy during a difficult family we are working with authorities in San Diego, California, and Aurora, Colorado. We're still trying to process this information. And we appreciate that people will respect our privacy." A man believed to Holmes's father, James, was seen leaving with luggage, escorted by the police. The Associated Press said the father was a manager at a software company, and his mother a nurse.
A neighbor, Tom Mai, told reporters on the block that Holmes was a shy, polite boy, clean cut and responsible, who is very active in church. Associated Press reported that the family attended a Presbyterian church and a quiet Christmas party for the neighbors. Holmes had difficulty finding a job after college, said Mai, and then went to graduate school.
Rooting for the villains?
Holmes attended Westview High School in San Diego, graduating in 2006, the Poway Unified School District confirmed. Classmates show yearbook with a photo of the cross country and soccer teams.
NBC 7 San Diego to talk with classmates, Sumit Shah, who said he went to school with Holmes. "He was quite shy, but once he's comfortable with you, he is the man, the most intelligent funny ... He always has something intelligent to say." He continued, "The people I knew in high school, I do not understand how that could be the same person ... He's a little shy and quiet, but he was never aggressive or mean He always had a very good value .. She looks pretty normal . "
A woman he knew in high school who told NBC News that Holmes was a good man, but strangely always rooted for the villain in superhero movies.
"He's a nice guy who really wants to be liked and wanted." She said. "He's a very, very smart honest I do not believe he can do this .. I know, I know, everyone says that. But it is really destroying me.
"He did not have many friends for someone who wants to be liked," he said. "He loved all the villains in the superhero thing, I did show a peculiar Most people enjoy a hero."
His cousin, who knew Holmes and playing football with him, offered this assessment through email:. "Jimmy both to those who know It's hard to get to know him, but once you do, you realize that he was funny and everyone receives an error. He loves video games. But I will say he does not like shooting games he would prefer someone else, guitar hero . He was always quiet on the football field, but committed to the team. Which is someone you want on you. side even if they are not the best. Last time I talked to Jimmy, he does not actually appear in either place, but it last year .. But nothing extraordinary, just you know a 20-s trials and tribulations. What he did was horrible, but I will always know him as Jimmy Holmes, is not this guy he is described as destroying origin. may if I try to keep in touch or something. Just hope and pray that the families involved to know that everyone is thinking about them I just was thinking of Jimmy too .. "
The Denver Post reports that Holmes, in his application of rental apartments last year, described him as "calm and relaxed." A pharmacy student who lives in the building told The Washington Post that he called 911 around 12:30 am Friday (2:30 ET) because there are songs blaring from the stereo in the apartment 10, where Holmes lived. The students, who want to be identified only as Ben, saying he could not see the songs but it seems to be the same person playing on repeat. He also said Holmes alone and will not recognize the people as they passed in the hall and say hello. "No one knew him. No," he told The Post.
Melvin Evans, a bouncer at a karaoke bar near the apartment Holmes, Holmes said he remembered as a patron of the ID checking. Holmes said he would take a walk to the Zephyr Lounge, sitting quietly in a corner booth and have a Budweiser, but never joined in the singing. "He's just going to sit alone. He will not talk to anybody," said Evans. "He's very, very gentle, really quiet you will not even look twice at him, if you passed on the road .."
Officials said Holmes is not on any watch lists which tell the authorities that he was dangerous, officials said. The incident was not believed to have links with international terrorism, they added.
A previous report that Holmes was driving the car had Tennessee plates are untrue, officials said.
"He looked so peaceful '
Police said the gunman entered through the exit door and came in front of the theater in Aurora and the release of a tube, is considered the tear gas, which emit a hissing sound. He apparently had bought tickets, propped open the door, and went to his car to his teeth.
The gunman then began firing into the crowd, triggering chaos.
"He looks so calm when he did," said an eyewitness kusa NBC affiliate. "It was like scary He's waiting for the bomb exploded before he did something .. Then, after they explode, he started shooting."
"He does not have a specific target. He just started letting loose," added the witness.
Witnesses told reporters that the fire broke out while shooting a scene in "The Dark Knight Rises."
After being arrested by the police, Holmes told authorities she explosives in his apartment, kusa reported.
Local and federal officials seeking Holmes's apartment building, which was evacuated immediately after the shooting.
Oates, the police chief, said the apartment was booby-trapped with sophisticated explosives or combustible materials. Officials trying to determine how to defuse the device.
Source : http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/20/12854157-aurora-suspect-james-holmes-was-buying-guns-dropping-out-of-graduate-school?lite
