some dude in denver opens fire at a Batman premier

soop · 07/20/2012, 06:21 AM

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9414279/Denver-shooting-Batman-screening-live.html

Eurgh. reading that is making me sick. It's so upsetting. Why would anyone do such a thing?

Bernie · 07/20/2012, 06:51 AM

That is terrible!!!

DragonmasterDan · 07/20/2012, 07:20 AM

Why is it random shootings in public places seem to happen in Colorado an in-proportionate number of times?

soop · 07/20/2012, 07:25 AM

Quote from: DragonmasterDan on 07/20/2012, 07:20 AMWhy is it random shootings in public places seem to happen in Colorado an in-proportionate number of times?

Oh yeah... I remember there was a shooting there once.

termis · 07/20/2012, 07:26 AM

That's just fucked. Waddaya do...?! Condolences to the victims & their families...

esteban · 07/20/2012, 07:39 AM

Quote from: soop on 07/20/2012, 06:21 AMhttp://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/9414279/Denver-shooting-Batman-screening-live.html

Eurgh. reading that is making me sick. It's so upsetting. Why would anyone do such a thing?

Body armor, gas mask, tear gas...indiscriminate shooting at children (one infant, even) and adults.

This alone is disturbing, but the fact that he timed his assault with a particular moment in the film (reports vary) make it seem as if there was a twisted, sick logic to the gunman's carnage.

This tragedy played out like a grotesque statement on the hyper-violent pop culture we consume.

The horror is not that there are sick people who do sick things.

The horror, for me, is how the assault mirrors the games, films and music we love.

The horror, for me, is how familiar it is.

soop · 07/20/2012, 08:02 AM

I don't understand (not having watched this film, but having watched many in the same vein) how someone can take away the violence, but not the heroism. For me it's the opposite. If I ever have kids, I'll insist on them reading comics, I learned some great morals from comics. At least I think that's what I attribute it to. Maybe it's innate?

But yeah, I maintain it's not the fault of the media we consume. There have always been violent psychopaths, but an unfortunate combination of access to hugely efficient killing machines and the fact that news travels so fast and wide mean not only do we get massively more destructive acts, but it also seems like it happens more frequently than it used to.

I fucking hate the NRA for lobbying against gun control in America. Why does this shit never happen to them?

DragonmasterDan · 07/20/2012, 08:14 AM

Quote from: soop on 07/20/2012, 08:02 AMI fucking hate the NRA for lobbying against gun control in America. Why does this shit never happen to them?

Gun Control wouldn't have helped a situation like this. Would you have been happier if the person made a Tim McVeigh like bomb and smuggled it it with his teargas? The problem here is the person who did this, not the constitutional right to bear arms. It's quite cliched to say it, but if guns are outlawed, then only outlaws have guns.

Added in edit: My basic point is this. Crazy people who are intent on harming others have a variety of ways to do it. Restricting our freedoms because other people might abuse them sets a poor precedent for a free society.

soop · 07/20/2012, 08:25 AM

I can't think of a situation that gun control would help more. Yeah there are shootings in England, but they're really rare because guns are not easy to get hold of, they're expensive, and owning one, except in specific circumstances, will get you arrested and thrown in jail. That means the kind of people that are going to use a gun for bad reasons need a very good excuse to use one ratehr than "oh I think I'm going to go a bit postal today, let's pop down to Wal Mart and buy a fucking assault rifle"

I can't think of any situation based in reality where a civilian would need an assault rifle. It's madness. (and btw, I don't know what guns that guy had other than a shotgun, the assault rifle thing is more of an aside).

DragonmasterDan · 07/20/2012, 08:37 AM

Quote from: soop on 07/20/2012, 08:25 AMI can't think of a situation that gun control would help more. Yeah there are shootings in England, but they're really rare because guns are not easy to get hold of, they're expensive, and owning one, except in specific circumstances, will get you arrested and thrown in jail. That means the kind of people that are going to use a gun for bad reasons need a very good excuse to use one ratehr than "oh I think I'm going to go a bit postal today, let's pop down to Wal Mart and buy a fucking assault rifle"

I can't think of any situation based in reality where a civilian would need an assault rifle. It's madness. (and btw, I don't know what guns that guy had other than a shotgun, the assault rifle thing is more of an aside).

Without turning this into a drawn out debate I'll just make a few quick points.

First off the term assault rifle is just a weasel word trying to brand a particular type of rifle which can be used for hunting, target shooting or any other purpose as being "for assault". This isn't a term that was in common use until lawmakers started submitting proposals to legislate firearms and needed to come up with terminology to sell the public on taking away their rights. By calling particular types of firearms "Assault Weapons" it made it easier to sell to John Q Public.

If we started calling certain types of cutlery assault knives, I wouldn't want to ban those either because there are legitimate uses for them.

People collect guns, people hunt, people target practice with them. Calling a gun an "assault rifle" is merely a label.

Tatsujin · 07/20/2012, 08:43 AM

Such a sad thing

Condolences to all the families and relatives.

soop · 07/20/2012, 09:53 AM

Dan, an assault rifle is a legitimate category of weaponry, and it is designed for killing as many people as possible in a short a time as possible, and as such, I don't see any need for them outside of warfare. I understand that there are legitimate purposes for firearms, but you do NOT need an AK-47 for any of them. So as far as "taking away our rights", I don't think that any human being has the right to arbitrarily wield such personal power. Remember, the constitution and the right to bare arms could have little idea of a weapon that could fire 600 rounds a minute and shoot through sheet steel.

I personally agree with the fact that it can be a rewarding and skilled passtime, and I also agree that they can be used for hunting, pest control etc. But there's no need for people to be armed all the time, and there's no way it should be so easy to attain a weapon.

As for "assault cutlery", knives are designed for specific purposes, and while you could explain away a chefs knife to a policeman (over here, you're not allowed to publicly carry a blade over 3" long unless you're transporting it from one place to another), but a katana or some such would be taken pretty damn seriously.

I just want to add, I know you're a cool guy Dan, and it's clear we have different views, but nothing in my post is intended to belittle you or your beliefs - but I suspect I feel as strongly about my views as you do yours, and hopefully that's what comes across.

It's bad enough that you can't get in a decent fight anymore without worrying about some little shit bumping into you again with 10 of his mates, and a guy I knew got stabbed in the heart many years ago for trying to break up a fight. But when people start carrying guns around for kicks, that's the day I get the fuck out of dodge.

Sadler · 07/20/2012, 10:03 AM

Absolutely horrible.

soop, as someone who has lived in Colorado most of his life, owns similar style fire arms and supports the NRA, I'd like to politely request you don't wish death upon me.

tggodfrey · 07/20/2012, 10:06 AM

Its not just colorado.....Here in Plainfield Dan, some guy opened fire in a burger king.....The world os going to shit fast!

majors · 07/20/2012, 10:15 AM

It's all because of the lack of enough Turbo for everyone in the world.

Arkhan Asylum · 07/20/2012, 10:23 AM

Time to install beepy-things at the movie theatre.

If I were one of the swat guys, I probably would have shot the guy on the scene.

Right in the dick.

Nazi NecroPhile · 07/20/2012, 10:26 AM

The guy's a nutter, plain and simple. My question is why in the hell would anyone take a three month old to a midnight showing?

Arkhan Asylum · 07/20/2012, 10:34 AM

Quote from: NecroPhile on 07/20/2012, 10:26 AMThe guy's a nutter, plain and simple. My question is why in the hell would anyone take a three month old to a midnight showing?

I see it all the time around here!

If you saw the parents, you'd have an answer.

They look a little.... special.

Mid-20s-ish trashy slobs who probably accidentally'd the kid while drunk and have no clue what they are doing as far as parenting.

"ITS A DARK THEATRE. THE BABY CAN SLEEP! DURHDRUHDRPDRUHDRP!"

Poor kids with retarded parents.

soop · 07/20/2012, 10:46 AM

Oh Sadler, I don't wish death on anyone, but I do happen to think the NRA as an organisation are evil. Thank god there's not an organisation to place sharp points at eye-height.

I think most people are inherently good (apart from the scumbag in question), and once you get past the fact that you disagree on fundemental principles, be it religion, firearms, or favorite console, it's pretty much irrelevant. The problem comes from when so many people sign up for something for WHATEVER reason, it gives the people in charge power to do what the fuck they like.

Like scientologists for instance: Everyone's like "lol, you believe in prehistoric spacemen" or whatnot, but when you hear the horror stories, it becomes clear that however harmless most of them are, they give power to some shady fucking corporation. Same with oil companies, pharmecuticals, Catholocism, Microsoft and the NRA. However innocent the individuals, the whole has some scary-ass power to lobby government, profit from misery, and generally trample on the small guy in the name of profit and heavenly glory.

so yeah, I think guns are cool, and I think target practice is awesome, and if you offered to take me to a shooting range, I'd bite your hand off. But however cool they are, I'd never want to own one (unless something really goes to shit). With great power comes great responsibility, and the power to take a life just by squeezing an index finger is something I don't want me or anyone near me to have. I don't even think the police force (UK) in general are responsible enough to carry tasers. Scares the shit out of me when I see them with automatic weapons.

tl;dr, you're cool Sadler ;)

Sadler · 07/20/2012, 10:51 AM

Fair enough soop.

I appreciate the clarification.

TheClash603 · 07/20/2012, 11:05 AM

Pretty fucked scenario here. Though, I would guess a large portion of the posters on this site will see Batman, and I doubt any of us get crazy and kill people. If you have a person with a screw loose, they will do crazy stuff.

Regarding guns, if there weren't already millions of them in peoples hands and we could start all over again, I would say ban them. They are awful for the most part. However, since everyone has a gun now, I would argue that they have become necessity.

PCEngineHell · 07/20/2012, 11:13 AM

Why so serious?

RegalSin · 07/20/2012, 11:24 AM

It is because, after every Batman movie, release after Batman & Robin a fan just had to snap. I am not suprised the very least bit, I am also sick of the logo, icon, and the new jokers, and Harley, and everything. Why can't they just continue batman, series from FOX5, or Beyond WB. No more Justice Leauge crap.

Anyways, I do not blame gun laws, and it would be intresting to hear the gunmans story. I heard he had bombs, as well.

This also proves that Batman can't be in more places then one.

Arkhan Asylum · 07/20/2012, 11:24 AM

Quote from: PCEngineHell on 07/20/2012, 11:13 AMWhy so serious?

shit. no wonder the guy was mad. He wanted to see Heath Ledger!

No joker = NOONE GETS OUT ALIVE.

soop · 07/20/2012, 11:51 AM

Quote from: RegalSin on 07/20/2012, 11:24 AMIt is because, after every Batman movie, release after Batman & Robin a fan just had to snap. I am not suprised the very least bit, I am also sick of the logo, icon, and the new jokers, and Harley, and everything. Why can't they just continue batman, series from FOX5, or Beyond WB. No more Justice Leauge crap.

Anyways, I do not blame gun laws, and it would be intresting to hear the gunmans story. I heard he had bombs, as well.

This also proves that Batman can't be in more places then one.

Well as long as you're posting, I assume it wasn't you. This time.

FiftyQuid · 07/20/2012, 11:53 AM

Quote from: guest on 07/20/2012, 10:26 AMThe guy's a nutter, plain and simple. My question is why in the hell would anyone take a three month old to a midnight showing?

This was the very first thing I thought too. My daughter woke up every hour on the hour from the day she was born until she was 8 months old. My wife and I were so sleep deprived the smallest little thing had us arguing and yelling at each other. The fact that they were there at midnight to watch a movie seems like a luxury and any normal parent would take advantage of that time to SLEEP!!!

The shooter seems like a complete whack job. There's no logic behind any of this. It's worrying as a parent, as a person, that this kind of planned bullshit is inside anyone's head.

Please tell me they shot this James Holmes guy in the head. From what I read it seems like they arrested him.

Arkhan Asylum · 07/20/2012, 12:01 PM

Arresting him is the smart thing to do.

Find out what the fuck he was thinking. See if hes got any other jackasses on Team AntiBatman.

and THEN, send him to prison.

Where Big T can shoot him in the ass repeatedly.

And it won't be with bullets.

soop · 07/20/2012, 12:07 PM

The thing that struck me, is the footage on the BBC keeps referring to him as the "suspect". I would have thought it was quite obvious that he was actually the "perpetrator" or whatever the fuck they call it these days at this point. Or you know, the point that it was the guy with the firing the guns.

Apparantly they're saying now his apartment is filled with booby traps and explosives.

*edit* Ok, US gun laws to be rediscussed, NYPD to be present at all screenings in all 5 boroughs (I think that's what I heard)

PikachuWarrior · 07/20/2012, 12:18 PM

$10 says he played some "insert violent video game" for hours on end! the madness!

esteban · 07/20/2012, 12:19 PM

Quote from: majors on 07/20/2012, 10:15 AMIt's all because of the lack of enough Turbo for everyone in the world.

Absolutely.

PikachuWarrior · 07/20/2012, 12:34 PM

I wonder if this film will get record ticket sales now? (someone had to say it!)

SMF · 07/20/2012, 05:05 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/20/2012, 10:34 AM
Quote from: guest on 07/20/2012, 10:26 AMThe guy's a nutter, plain and simple. My question is why in the hell would anyone take a three month old to a midnight showing?
I see it all the time around here!

If you saw the parents, you'd have an answer.

They look a little.... special.

Mid-20s-ish trashy slobs who probably accidentally'd the kid while drunk and have no clue what they are doing as far as parenting.

"ITS A DARK THEATRE. THE BABY CAN SLEEP! DURHDRUHDRPDRUHDRP!"

Poor kids with retarded parents.

The father with the baby is worse then the shooter in my eyes. 1 who brings a baby to a movie theater to ruin it for everyone else also 2 when the shooting started he drops his baby boy and jumps the balcony runs to safty as his gf and 4 year old daughter and baby son is still inside. 3 He tells ABC news his family is still inside the theater. POLICE YOU HAVE EVERYONES PERMISSION TO BEAT THIS DAD STUPID. If the gf was smart she would ditch him now cause that's one guy that's gonna leave his family when the Zombies come.

Nazi NecroPhile · 07/20/2012, 05:18 PM

Quote from: SMF on 07/20/2012, 05:05 PMThe father with the baby is worse then the shooter in my eyes.

Being an inconsiderate, selfish ass is worse than being a mass murderer?

esteban · 07/20/2012, 05:36 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/20/2012, 05:18 PM
Quote from: SMF on 07/20/2012, 05:05 PMThe father with the baby is worse then the shooter in my eyes.
Being an inconsiderate, selfish ass is worse than being a mass murderer?

!!!

SMF · 07/20/2012, 05:38 PM

Quote from: guest on 07/20/2012, 05:18 PM
Quote from: SMF on 07/20/2012, 05:05 PMThe father with the baby is worse then the shooter in my eyes.
Being an inconsiderate, selfish ass is worse than being a mass murderer?

Yes he is to a point in my eyes, As a father you should be willing to die for your family. Instead he drops his baby and high tails it out of there. Not supportng killing people but as a father of 2 girls I could never leave them behind in that kind of situation.

VestCunt · 07/20/2012, 05:52 PM

http://www.theonion.com/articles/sadly-nation-knows-exactly-how-colorado-shootings,28857/

PCEngineHell · 07/20/2012, 05:52 PM

Quote from: PikachuWarrior on 07/20/2012, 12:18 PM$10 says he played some "insert violent video game" for hours on end! the madness!

PikachuWarrior · 07/20/2012, 10:51 PM

Quote from: SMF on 07/20/2012, 05:05 PM
Quote from: guest on 07/20/2012, 10:34 AM
Quote from: guest on 07/20/2012, 10:26 AMThe guy's a nutter, plain and simple. My question is why in the hell would anyone take a three month old to a midnight showing?
I see it all the time around here!

If you saw the parents, you'd have an answer.

They look a little.... special.

Mid-20s-ish trashy slobs who probably accidentally'd the kid while drunk and have no clue what they are doing as far as parenting.

"ITS A DARK THEATRE. THE BABY CAN SLEEP! DURHDRUHDRPDRUHDRP!"

Poor kids with retarded parents.
The father with the baby is worse then the shooter in my eyes. 1 who brings a baby to a movie theater to ruin it for everyone else also 2 when the shooting started he drops his baby boy and jumps the balcony runs to safty as his gf and 4 year old daughter and baby son is still inside. 3 He tells ABC news his family is still inside the theater. POLICE YOU HAVE EVERYONES PERMISSION TO BEAT THIS DAD STUPID. If the gf was smart she would ditch him now cause that's one guy that's gonna leave his family when the Zombies come.

That reminded me of that Seinfeld episode, where George is at a birthday party and smells smoke in the kitchen, and then yells "Fire!" while running out of the apartment plowing people over LOL. He said he wanted to make sure the exit path was safe

PunkCryborg · 07/20/2012, 10:54 PM

A lot of people bring their babies to late night movies because it's hard to get out when you have a newborn and you can get them to sleep the whole time. I would never do it but just sayin...

Tatsujin · 07/21/2012, 01:01 AM

Dumbest yankee shit you could ever do, lol.

BigusSchmuck · 07/21/2012, 10:21 AM

This is a sad situation and my condolences go out to the families of this tragedy. Its just a matter of time before Romney and Obama start talking about gun control and use this event to make it yet another political issue. Sheesh, what times we are living in.

BigusSchmuck · 07/21/2012, 10:45 AM

Quote from: PCEngineHell on 07/20/2012, 05:52 PM
Quote from: PikachuWarrior on 07/20/2012, 12:18 PM$10 says he played some "insert violent video game" for hours on end! the madness!

http://news.yahoo.com/police-detonate-explosives-colorado-suspects-home-074249147.html
"Kromka, 19, said he knew Holmes to sometimes play video games in the lab when he was supposed to be working and said he seemed to be influenced by movies and the media."
That was fast.

Tatsujin · 07/21/2012, 11:10 AM

so cheap.

Joe Redifer · 07/21/2012, 11:23 AM

Quote from: guest on 07/20/2012, 10:23 AMTime to install beepy-things at the movie theatre.

If I were one of the swat guys, I probably would have shot the guy on the scene.

Right in the dick.

Wouldn't have helped. He bought a ticket and sat with the audience. After the movie started, he went out the emergency exit, propped the door open and got on his gear and grabbed his weapons from his car. His gear included a groin protector.

I helped with the some of the audio/visual aspects of construction of this theater back in '98. I have many pictures of the interior after it opened as well. I fail to understand why the news agencies aren't beating down my door for an interview. They were talking to some guy who was there a week before. Big deal!

Tatsujin · 07/21/2012, 11:38 AM

sure, been there last week [x----------l-----------] been there in forgotten '98.

= BIG DEAL.

PikachuWarrior · 07/21/2012, 04:01 PM

I agree. It's not like if there's a shooting at a local mall, they are going to interview the people who designed/built the place 20 years ago.

Joe Redifer · 07/21/2012, 06:06 PM

You guys ENTIRELY missed my point. Did I really make it that complex for you? Well why would they want to talk to some random guy who was there a week ago when they could talk to the employees who are there every day? What are they going to learn from the guy who was there a week ago? "Uh... there were no bullets flying around when I went".

VestCunt · 07/21/2012, 07:24 PM

Quote from: Joe Redifer on 07/21/2012, 11:23 AM
Quote from: Psycho Arkhan on 07/20/2012, 10:23 AMRight in the dick.
His gear included a groin protector.

Crazy, but not stupid!

HercTNT · 07/21/2012, 11:05 PM

None of you lost some one today, did you? if you did, my condolences, if you did not, shut the hell up, you have no idea what its like. your not fooling anyone, by defending your opinions while others are sufffering.

PCEngineHell · 07/21/2012, 11:26 PM

This stuff gets sensationalized so much anymore in the media to where now its just old hat. There is no shock and awe in any of this. The majority feed off the bullshit like any other reality tv program on tv. People don't know how to unplug themselves from the bullshit, they stay addicted, waiting for every new news clip and sound bite, every new half assed yahoo news article. Anymore its like once or twice a year you really just expect this to happen anymore. People call these spree killing events, mother killing kid events, etc all tragic, but the real tragedy is how the majority of the population waits with baited breath for the next event to occur. Rinse and repeat.