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Massacre Suspect Acted With "Calculation And Deliberation"
After gaining access to his apartment, Aurora, Colorado police and other authorities managed to begin to remove evidence from massacre suspect James Holmes' apartment. Holmes, who is accused of killing 12 people and wounding 58 others at a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises, had set up dozens of explosives—some seemed to be from "improvised napalm"—in his home. The Denver Post reports that the "improvised explosive devices, rigged in such an intricate network that a veteran FBI special agent characterized it as 'sophisticated' and 'complex.'"
Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates said that Holmes actions suggest "calculation and deliberation." He emphasized that the explosives were meant to hurt police officers, "This apartment was designed to kill. If you think we're mad, we're sure as hell angry." The Denver Channel reports, "The apartment also contained about 30 aerial shells used in fireworks displays, roughly the size of golf balls and filled with black powder, wired to a control box in the kitchen that was defused with water, another law enforcement official said. There were also jars of black powder, liquid accelerants and other flammable chemicals in the apartment, the source said."
Authorities said the threat wasn't "completely eliminated" and Aurora PD spokeswoman Cassidee Carlson said, "There are still unknowns. Keep in mind that we are not exactly sure of everything that's in there." And a second person who was seen visiting Holmes' apartment last week was questioned, but it's believed he was not involved.
Holmes, a 24-year-old San Diego native described as a gifted scholar, had been in a PhD neuroscience program at the University of Colorado, but was in the process of dropping out. According to witnesses, he was dressed in riot gear when he threw gas canisters and then opened fire at the movie theater audience on Friday (police found a 12-gauge shotgun, an AR-15 assault weapon and a .40-caliber Glock handgun). Holmes reportedly told authorities he was "The Joker" and is currently being held at Arapahoe Detention Center until his hearing tomorrow.
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While inmates and guards say that Holmes is spitting and acting oddly, legal experts tell the NY Post that while Holmes may try to plead insanity, it might not fly. One says, "You’ve got at least 12 counts of coldblooded, super-premeditated first-degree murder," since evidence shows that Holmes bought his weapons plus 6,000 rounds of ammunition over two months and spent three weeks rigging his apartment.
Related:
Dark Knight Rises Massacre: At Least 12 Killed, 50 Wounded At Colorado Movie Theater
The Names of Victims Killed In Aurora Massacre
Pentagon: Military Members Were Among Victims of 'The Dark Knight Rises' Massacre
"Dark Knight" Massacre Suspect Told Cops He Was "The Joker"
Cops Call Massacre Suspect's Booby-Trapped Apartment "Vexing"
Massacre Suspect James Holmes Worked As Summer Camp Counselor For Underprivileged Children
"Dark Knight" Massacre Suspect From San Diego, Media Descends on Family [UPDATE]
Woman Killed in 'Dark Knight' Massacre Had Survived Mall Shooting in Toronto
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