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The suspect in last night's deadly shooting spree inside an Aurora, Colorado movie theater is 24-year-old James Holmes of San Diego. His mother, Arlene Holmes, who still reside in the area, has been bombarded by the media this morning, and a police spokesperson has relayed the message the family is asking for privacy.
Holmes learned of her son's involvement in the horrific incident at a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" when she was contacted by the media. ABC News reports that when she took the call from their reporter she said: "You have the right person. I need to call the police... I need to fly out to Colorado."
Arlene Holmes reportedly lives in the North County neighborhood of Torrey Highlands in Rancho Penasquitos, according to the North County Times.Very early Friday, police and the media were at the Holmes residence, according to KPBS: Around daybreak, San Diego police officers were spotted in and outside of Arlene Holmes' residence in the Rancho Penasquitos area as media crews started to gather outside with video cameras. Police Chief William Lansdowne said the officers were there to provide security to the Holmes family and to assist Aurora police by gathering information for that agency's investigation.
Shortly after 8 a.m. police spokeswoman Lt. Andra Brown held a press conference, but offered few details about the suspect, his family, or his specific ties to San Diego.
"The Holmes family is very upset by all of this. It is a tragic event and has taken everybody by surprise," Brown said.
Brown declined to say what San Diego-area high school James Holmes attended. He is thought to have moved recently to Colorado to pursue a doctorate degree, but had dropped out this summer.
#CUDenver confirms #theatershooter, James Holmes, getting PHD in neuroscience-- started in fall of 2011; withdrew last month.
— Denver7 News (@DenverChannel) July 20, 2012
The Holmes family issued the following statement:
"Our hearts go out to those who were involved in this tragedy and to the families and friends of those involved. We ask that the media respect our privacy during this difficult time. Our family is cooperating with authorities in both San Diego, California and Aurora, Colorado. We are still trying to process this information and we appreciate that people will respect our privacy."
So far, 12 people have died and at least 50 people are reported injured.
Related:
Local Authorities Call Colorado Shooting an 'isolated incident,' While Studio Pulls "Gangster Squad" Trailer Due to Movie Theater Bloodbath Scene
Dark Knight Rises Massacre: At Least 12 Killed, 50 Wounded At Colorado Movie Theater
Woman Killed in 'Dark Knight' Massacre Had Survived Mall Shooting in Toronto
Obama on Colorado Shooting: 'It's Beyond Reason'
Obama on Colorado Shooting: 'It's Beyond Reason'
