Colo. Shooting Suspect a ‘Top of the Top’ Science Student
- Posted on July 21, 2012 at 11:51am by
Madeleine Morgenstern
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Twenty-four-year-old James Holmes, who police say is the suspect in a mass shooting at a Colorado movie theater, was studying neuroscience in a Ph.D. program at the University of Colorado-Denver graduate school. (AP Photo/University of Colorado)
DENVER (AP) — James Eagen Holmes came from a well-tended San Diego enclave of two-story homes with red-tiled roofs, where neighbors recall him as a clean-cut, studious young man of sparing words.
Tall and dark-haired, he stared clear-eyed at the camera in a 2004 high school yearbook snapshot, wearing a white junior varsity soccer uniform – No. 16. The son of a nurse, Arlene, and a software company manager, Robert, James Holmes was a brilliant science scholar in college.
The biggest mystery surrounding the 24-year-old doctoral student was why he would have pulled on a gas mask and shot dozens of people early Friday in a suburban Denver movie theater, as police allege.
In the age of widespread social media, no trace of Holmes could be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, Twitter or anywhere on the Web. Either he never engaged or he scrubbed his trail.
A longtime neighbor in San Diego, where Holmes grew up, remembers only a “shy guy … a loner” from a churchgoing family. In addition to playing soccer at Westview High School, he ran cross country.
The bookish demeanor concealed an unspooling life. Holmes struggled to find work after graduating with highest honors in spring 2010 with a neuroscience degree from the University of California, Riverside, said the neighbor, retired electrical engineer Tom Mai.
Holmes enrolled last year in a neuroscience Ph.D. program at the University of Colorado-Denver but was in the process of withdrawing, said school officials, who didn’t provide a reason. The school later said in a statement that he left the program in June 2012.
As part of the advanced program in Denver, a James Holmes had been listed as making a presentation in May about Micro DNA Biomarkers in a class named “Biological Basis of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders.”
In academic achievement, “he was at the top of the top,” recalled Riverside Chancellor Timothy P. White.
Holmes concentrated his study on “how we all behave,” White added. “It’s ironic and sad.”
From a distance, Holmes’ life appears unblemished, a young man with unlimited potential. There are no indications he had problems with police.
Somehow, the acclaimed student and quiet neighbor reached a point where he painted his hair red, called himself “The Joker,” the green-haired villain from the Batman movies, according to New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, who said he had been briefed on the matter.
Authorities say Holmes arrived at the theater dressed in black, outfitted in a gas mask, ballistic helmet, vest and leggings, black tactical gloves and protectors on his throat and groin. He was armed with an assault-style rifle, a shotgun and Glock handgun.
Police said he started his attack by tossing two gas canisters into the theater, where he had bought a ticket for the midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises,” the new Batman movie.
A federal law enforcement official, speaking on condition of anonymity because of the ongoing probe into the rampage, said Holmes bought four guns from retailers in the past two months.
Holmes bought his first Glock pistol in Aurora, Colo., on May 22. Six days later, he picked up a Remington shotgun in Denver. About two weeks later, he bought a .223 caliber Smith & Wesson rifle in Thornton, Colo., and then a second Glock in Denver on July 6 – 13 days before the shooting, the official said.
A high-volume drum magazine was attached to the rifle, an assault weapon, the official said. Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said that a 100-round drum magazine for the rifle was recovered from the scene.
“I’m told by experts that with that drum magazine, he could have gotten off 50 to 60 rounds, even if it was semiautomatic, within one minute,” Oates said at a news conference. “And as far as we know, it was a pretty rapid pace of fire in that theater.”
Julie Adams, whose son played junior varsity soccer with Holmes, said her son remembered little about the suspect, which was unusual for the tight-knit team.
“I don’t think many of the kids (teammates) knew him. He was kind of a loner,” she said.
Jackie Mitchell, a furniture mover who lives several blocks from the suspect’s apartment building in Colorado, said he had drinks with Holmes at a bar on Tuesday night, though he showed no sign of distress or violence.
After Holmes approached him, “we just talked about football. He had a backpack and geeky glasses and seemed like a real intelligent guy, and I figured he was one of the college students,” Mitchell said.
When Mitchell saw Holmes’ photo after the shooting, “the hair stood up on my back,” he said. “I know this guy.”
Holmes is not talking to police and has asked for a lawyer, according to a law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the case. Police found jars of chemicals in Holmes’ booby-trapped apartment with wires nearby, the law enforcement official said.
When he surrendered meekly in the movie house parking lot, Holmes told authorities what he’d done at his residence in the Denver suburb of Aurora, the third most populous city in Colorado.
“Our hearts go out to those who were involved in this tragedy and to the families and friends of those involved,” Holmes’ family said in a statement Friday. “We ask that the media respect our privacy during this difficult time.”
San Diego Superior Court spokeswoman Karen Dalton said there were no records found under his name, not even for a traffic ticket. Riverside County prosecutors also have no criminal record for him, said John Hall, a spokesman for the district attorney’s office. The only mark on his record in Aurora was a speeding summons from October, Oates said.
On Friday morning, police escorted the suspect‘s father from the family’s San Diego home. The mother stayed inside, receiving visitors who came to offer support.
San Diego police spokeswoman Lt. Andra Brown spoke to reporters in the driveway of the Holmes’ home, on behalf of the family.
“As you can understand, the Holmes family is very upset about all of this,” she said. “It‘s a tragic event and it’s taken everyone by surprise.”
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Comments (116)
starider
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 3:14pmIsn’t it clear that we need to BAN that course of study. Who really Needs it anyway? There should be NO right to keep and bear text books.
Report Post »swamp_donkey
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 7:14pmi agree all U.S citizens should be just like the troglodytes on here , uninformed , bigotedx , and ignorant
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 10:09pmSWAMP_DONKEY, That turd in your head must only be there to keep your ears from slamming tightly together. Obviously, you don’t have the capacity to catch the sarcasm. Help yourself and run some industrial strength toilet paper through your ears as some mental floss.
Report Post »ronin_6
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 3:12pmAll his equipment was purchsed starting in May. The ammo, and firearms alone would have cost around 6000 bucks. Throw in the body armor, booby traps, smoke grenades, pro-mask etc and your closer to 6500-7000 depending on brands and quality. Where did that money come from?
I cannot find an image of the Joker with orange hair from any time period. The Joker has green hair. Why did he dye his hair orange?
Usually these guys commit suicide after an assault like this. Why didn’t he?
Why didn’t the cops shoot him?
Some web sites are reporting this guy as a hard core democrat, ows, black bloc member.
Anyone see the movie the ‘Manchurian Candidate’?
barber2
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 4:01pmLet’s see : loner ; just dropped out of grad school, visited sex sites, dyed his hair orangey-red, dressed in military great, all in black, face covered by gas mask, guns, attending violent Batman movie , theatrics, smoke bombs : Yup. Only natural conclusion : Tea Party …. ( Lap Dog Media )
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 4:59pm@ronin_6
I saw the movie and you make a few good points.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 5:10pmIn that last movie with the Joker where he dressed up as the nurse and went after Harvey. He briefly had on what looked to be a reddish blonde wig. Again, it is a brief shot and he removes it as he turns to face Harvey in his bed while the Joker is menacingly holding a hypodermic needle. But it does not look anything like this kind of red.
Report Post »Platonician
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 5:21pmThe British newspaper The Daily Mail, the same that reported on Obama’s daughter vacation in Mexico, was reporting yesterday that this monster is a member of Obama’s OWS black bloc, as in the case of Obama’s daughter news, they removed it after some hours, I‘m sure that Obama’s political police is behind this.
Report Post »poorrichard09
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 6:36pmIt‘s been said there’s a fine line between genius and insanity-looks like this nut crossed that line to the dark side.
Yes, it would have saved society a lot of time and $$ if this dude had offed himself. The cops didn’t shoot him because he offered no resistance-according to news reports.
Report Post »TooManyRedneckConservatives
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 7:43pmWho paid for it? Probably his rich parents from San Diego. I‘m sure he was another spoiled kid with mommy and daddy’s credit card who just charged whatever he needed. He also had some kind of research job, although I doubt that paid much.
Maybe that is the reason that the mother was quoted as saying “you have the right person”. She probably began to see some unusual charges on the credit card statement.
tool4rage
Posted on July 22, 2012 at 6:00amIt’s just a sad and strange story all around. I’ve also thought about how willingly he went into police custody. He didn’t try to get away and in most cases like this, they (shooter’s) would either shoot themselves, or go out via “death by cop”. I DONT think there’s some kind of conspiracy going on, though; just a sick and deranged individual.
Report Post »I don’t find the money thing to be an issue. He could easily run up those things on a credit card, and he obviously wouldn’t be worried about paying it off.
kapnkd
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 3:08pmPerfect example of a highly educated mind coming out of an overly leftist liberal “institution” like Berkley. It would be interesting to know which (radical???) professors taught and influenced his thinking while he was at Berkley or in Colorado for that matter.
The_Jerk
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 3:26pmSchizophrenia is a disease that typically begins in early adulthood; between the ages of 15 and 25. Men tend to get develop schizophrenia slightly earlier than women; whereas most males become ill between 16 and 25 years old, most females develop symptoms several years later, and the incidence in women is noticeably higher in women after age 30.
Report Post »SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 3:49pmA lot of great inventers were said to be crazy just look back flying kites in a electrical storm or the obsession of burning metal filaments for light. Is insanity really doing the same thing over and over expecting different results ? If they had not been insane many inventions wouldn’t be invented.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 3:52pmThis may be too early to attempt to inject even a semblance of humor. But, I’m going to break with the sanctity and do it anyway.
Report Post »Just makes me think that the final episode of The Big Bang Theory could have a mildly dishevelled Dr Sheldon Cooper, left eye blinking erratically while climbing a clock tower with a duffel bag full of guns and ammo. And muttering “I’m…I’m gonna get em Memaw…I’m gonna get em all.”
The-Monk
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 4:05pmHi RJJ,
Bazinga!
Report Post »VoteBushIn12
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 4:59pmWay to not make this political. Beck would be so upset with you.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 5:22pmVOTEBUSHIN12, Afraid that you are way behind the curve at this time. ABC pulled the biggest ***** early on trying to tie Holmes to the Tea Party before they did any investigation. And, the rest of the left wing media certainly did try to tie the shooting to conservatives. In the mean time, Holmes is tied to OWS.
Report Post »http://cheatersflorida.wordpress.com/2012/07/20/updated-is-james-e-holmes-a-occupy-black-bloc-member-james-e-holmes-shoots-up-aurora-co-movie-theater-killing-12-and-wounding-59-as-batman-movie-slams-ows/
VoteBushIn12
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 7:00pm@RJJINGADSDEN
I don‘t care who he’s tied to. Beck‘s whole point was that this event shouldn’t be politicized and facts should be checked before reported. KAPNKD’s comment and even yours demonstrates you guys clearly missed the point. It’s a national tragedy and bickering over whose team he bats for is a ridiculous waste of time, benefits no one, and only serves to further divide the country.
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 10:16pmVOTEBUSHIN12, Then, you should have put more thought process in your attempt to make a point. No, it should not have been politicised, but it has, and by the left wing media one element after the other, and some even stand up for ABC’s “right” to even tell lies, or at least unsubstantiated stories regardless of who they have wrongfully attacked and set up for a variety of threats from idiots on the left. The man had to have his phone disconnected within only a couple of hours of ABC’s idiotic statements. But, the left always seems to do this from Gabby Giffords back to the OKC bombing.
Report Post »Yes, I do get it, got it from the start as I turned the news on yesterday morning. I’ve heard it all to many times over many years.
LeadNotFollow
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:33pm…
Report Post »My Grandfather always said, “When you go to college, don’t let them rob you of your common sense”. I guess this guy was really, really robbed, big time.
kapnkd
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 3:10pmYour grandfather is/was a VERY wise man indeed!!
Report Post »Whiteeagle
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 9:18pmTHIS Settles IT !!! … People Believing in this ‘Cult’ called Science, NEED to be Investigated !! … How Dangerous for the rest of us citizens; that people are teaching Science to our sons & daughters … and right under our noses !! …. May their own dinosauers rise up against them and destroy with much terror and violence, …. these proponents of ‘Science’ … what a bunch of Heathens …!!
Report Post »silentme63
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:32pmMind Control..
Report Post »NancyBee
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 8:38pmvery possible..
Report Post »fastgen1
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:31pmI am so sad about all of the killings, it is the sign of a sick mind. But to put it all in perspective, it is about the same as Chicago on a good Saturday night. I dont see the left wing press saying anything about that.
Report Post »swamp_donkey
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 3:51pmyour ignorance is showing the violence in chicago has been all over the news turn fox off for 10 minutes and google it
Report Post »RJJinGadsden
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 10:23pmSWAMP_DONKEY, The problems in Chicago have been well reported on Fox, while very little through other news organizations. These days I watch Fox, but also CNN, and BSNBC in particular. CNN has slacked off on their everything Democrat rants from the ‘90 during the Clinton admin because their viewership was virtually in the toilet. Now, it is headed back in that direction. Still haven’t seen anything regarding Chicago except some puff pieces on Mayor Rahm. BSNBC has their collective lips locked so tightly on 0bama’s outermost sphincter muscle and do nothing but boast about OWS, 0bama, and his admin so much that it is sickening. Fox isn’t perfect, but they are the closest to their motto over anybody else.
Report Post »All American American
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:12pmCan someone please explain to me how this unemployed PhD student was able to afford, by my estimate, approximately $5000 worth of guns and ammo in the last two months? Throw the tactical gear, booby-trap stuff in his apartment, and magazines for the weapons and it probably rings in at around $8000+.
So just how did this kid afford all that in the last 2 months?
This kid was bankrolled. He’s a pawn. He was used. We will probably never find out how or more importantly WHO paid for all this stuff.
Is this the “son of fast & furious?” Is it a teaser for a big ol’ October Surprise? Who knows. All I know is this was no “lone wolf.”
CatB
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:27pmI have been asking the same thing since yesterday .. I hope someone besides the “government” is looking into this.
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:35pm…
Report Post »My guess, George Soros.
All American American
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:56pm@CatB, I‘m sure when all is said and done we’ll find out he put it on his Visa Platinum card or something like that. Well, that‘s what we’ll be told anyway.
@Lead, I’m sure if it did come from him there is no way to trace it.
@Fish, uhhh, OK.
Report Post »kapnkd
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 3:04pmProbably got Holder’s Fast & Furious discount rate!
Report Post »swamp_donkey
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 4:25pmmy guess is if you can afford medical school you can prolly afford a few weapons , how old are you?
Report Post »SychinLegacy
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 4:48pmIf you own a credit card you can (temporarily) afford anything.
Report Post »All American American
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 7:41pm@Swamp, what does it matter how old I am? You’re the one making smarmy comments, usually a sign of retarded/underdeveloped emotional maturity. A “few weapons???” You obviously know nothing about guns. Dude was collecting unemployment. Usually not reserved for folks who have that kind of disposable cash.
@Sy, I guess it coulda been a credit card—if you already decide to punch out of society why not run them up I guess. Sure is quite the credit limit for an unemployed college student tho.
Report Post »LoriInNC
Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:00amStudent Loan?
Report Post »Maxim Crux
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:21pmHe is a trained terrorist. Someone took him under their wing
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:33pmI don’t think so. There is a fine line between brilliant & crazy.
Report Post »donh2
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:12pmYes and Katie Holmes got into Columbia on her high SAT scores…She starred in Batman Begins…she has same eye colkor and facial features and James Holmes….there is a Scientology church 2 blocks down from Cinema 16 on E. Hampton Ave. L Ron Hubbard was a pulp comic author fascinated with the power of dreams and hidden powers of the brain. His friend Jack Parsons has a lab full of explosive chemicals. Why is nobody asking questions along these lines and finding out if this man is a cousin of Katie Holmes or a cult member to Scientology ? Strange how poorly the media has acted. There seems to be an agenda “ isolate ” the butcher , quaranteen information as to his associations, so that all of society gets to disown him….That allows potential cult members to maintain secrecy.
therealconservative
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:27pmmaybe he’s related to John Holmes too
donh2
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:42pmTherealconservative….James Aldultfriendfinder account listed his endowment as “ small ” but yes there could be a relation there too… Katie Holmes is from a large catholic family with lots of extended relatives……The reason I raise these questions is because the timing of this massacre coincided with the trailer premier of “ The Master ”…and if this slaughter is scientology cult related….Do you really want to attend the movie theatre premier of “ The Master ” ?…,consider waiting for the DVD on that one.
Wannabee
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:08pmMotive? Who cares. For this kind of lunatic, there should be shortcut justice, one hearing before a judge, identification of the shooter, and immediate scheduling his execution. We continue the pain of so many and spend so much on dung like him. His mental status is of little concern, he carefully planned and executed his plan, that shows he knew what he was doing. He did not want to be shot during apprehension. He expects a long imprisonment probably with an escape plan in mind.
No family of those killed or wounded should have to live with this vermin still alive.
Unfortunately, I know this will not be how our justice system will proceed. He will get compassionate treatment and may even be put on a suicide watch.
I pray that all the families hurt by this monster are able, with G-ds help, to continue their lives without much additional suffering from what this killer has done.
This killer is the worst of the worst.
TooManyRedneckConservatives
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:00pmhttp://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/13/magazine/can-you-call-a-9-year-old-a-psychopath.html?pagewanted=all
That story in the NY Times really makes you think about psychopaths/sociopaths, and about the warning signs.
Maybe more needs to be done to identify and treat sociopaths BEFORE they mass murder others, or swindle away millions like Madoff.
When the victims mother was quoted as saying “You have the right person”, then maybe there were some warning signs when he was young that could have been caught. It is highly unlikely that he became a sociopath in a matter of weeks.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:21pmWhat would you suggest? Oh, yeah, you guys have your go-to’s in abortion, euthanasia, lobotomies for the mentally disabled.
If it‘s one thing I’ve learned in my life it’s that left-wingers are absolutely stupendous at reactive, Monday-morning-quarterbacking. They hate rolling up their sleeves and doing the tough stuff that would prevent a lot of heartache (such as proper parenting) – which leaves them relegated to crying and whining “after the fact” and running to Big Government to save them from themselves.
This dude was OWS left-wing all the way – as are most recorded murderers. It’s because they have no inherent beliefs and no structure at a young age.
Report Post »TooManyRedneckConservatives
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:00pmI would suggest psychological screening of children in schools, and more programs to identify and treat sociopaths, as is mentioned in the article (if you read it). I am not liberal, and I do agree with you that lack of structure and morals is a problem in today’s society, but there have been sociopaths as long as there have been humans. Hitler was not a product of today’s generation, nor was Cesar or Charles Ponzi. One of the most important indicators of a sociopath is the absolute lack of concern regarding others or existence of emotions. This is not a politically motivated topic. It is merely a discussion of what more we can do as a society – Together – regardless of beliefs, to identify and treat sociopaths, and to prevent them from becoming violent or dangerous. Most sociopaths are extremely intelligent and manipulative, even charming. Look at Ted Bundy as an example of this. The question is, is there something more that can be done before they become the next Jared Loughner or James Holmes?
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:08pmScreenings and programs, huh? Look at how this country has devolved since all this nonsense began where government took the responsibility of parenting out of the parents hands. No accountability for rearing children properly and we’re now reaping what has been sewn the past 30 years.
Report Post »SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 9:09pm@ TooManyRedneckConservatives
Report Post »That‘s what happens now children are being analyzed in schools now that’s why half are on ritilin when a arse beating would have suficed.
valleyfever
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:55pmThis guy is referred to as the alleged shooter whereas Zimmerman they say shot and unarmed teenager. How come Zimmerman isn’t called an alleged shooter also? This is not balanced coverage
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:51pmI don’t know about that, but I do know that depending on what is uncovered about his political affiliations and beliefs will determine whether he’s declared loony or not. If he’s left-wingnut leaning, then it’s bats in the belfrey; if his leanings slant conservative, well, he’s just being a conservative.
It’s all get so very tired. Waiting patiently for the masses to awaken from their stupors.
Report Post »swamp_donkey
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 4:01pmmaybe because zimmerman has conceded he shot a 17 year old unarmed black kid and is now fundraising on it dolt
Report Post »B4B
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:49pmI remain quite tired of supposedly knowledgeable people referring to a semi-automatic rifle as an “assault rifle”.
Semantics? I think not.
Words mean things. And in this case it means everything.
Fact: “assault rifle” refers ONLY to a rifle capable of FULLY AUTOMATIC fire, aka a MACHINE GUN.
The term was purposely bastardized by the anti-gun zealots in order to confuse the subject, conflating semi-automatic rifles (1 round fired for 1 pull of the trigger) that are available to civilians with military assault rifles ( capable of fully-automatic fire, which is 1 trigger pull firing multiple rounds).
Assault rifles / machine guns have been effectively banned since the 1934 National Firearms Act (with special exceptions and US Treasury dept permission after a lengthy application process).
What fools (knowing or otherwise) now call “assault rifles” are called as such simply because they LOOK SIMILAR IN STYLE to military versions. Period.
This was, and is done for the sole reason of banning more guns from ownership by law-abiding Americans. Period.
PLEASE PEOPLE, STOP falling for this trap by using the same damn invented language of the anti-gun zealots.
If it’s a semi-automatic gun and someone calls it an “assault” rifle, or weapon, CORRECT IT IMMEDIATELY. And correct it EVERY TIME.
Report Post »Laziness will not prevent further erosion of 2nd Amendment rights.
progressiveslayer
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:14pmWhile your information is correct most Americans only read the headlines in the article if that.They get most of their ‘news’ from the bought and paid for msm who‘s agenda is clearly communistic since they’re simply the mouthpiece of whoever the democrat president is at the time.
I believe all gun laws passed since the second amendment are unconstitutional because there isn’t anywhere in that amendment that states we need a permit from government or anyone else for that matter to purchase a firearm. We‘ve given up so many rights to government it’s mind boggling what we’ve allowed government and ourselves to become.
Report Post »swamp_donkey
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 4:31pmThe AR-15 was first built by ArmaLite as a selective fire assault rifle for the United States armed forces, could you ever be right?
Report Post »swamp_donkey
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 4:34pmif it wasnt so sad it would be hilarious that a lunatic with 6000 rounds of ammo and 100 round magazines opens fire in a crowded theatre annd on the blaze the topic of conversation is what the correct name of the rifle was beyond belief
Report Post »VoteBushIn12
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 7:06pm@SWAMP_DONKEY
Great comments.
Report Post »Melika
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:46pmI just found out from a Ph.D. friend of mine that the term “neuroscience” (as opposed to “Neuroscience”?) is the new term for a Psychology student. Not real science. Just saying. And as we noticed with all the psych students, they took the major to figure out their own mental problems. I know I’ll get flamed by the psych fans, but the real scientists know what I’m talking about.
Also, typically great reporting nowadays: “…not even for a traffic ticket. … The only mark on his record in Aurora was a speeding summons from October.” I guess reporters don’t know the difference between a ticket and a summons – or rather that there isn’t a difference.
Report Post »Twobyfour
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:51pmMelika, I concur. About 90 % of psychology students I knew majored in it to solve their own problems. Next 7% wanted to “influence” people. The rest, 3%, were in it for the desire to help others.
Report Post »SCREW-WINDOWS
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 9:20pmThat would be like Obama getting parenting advice from a terrorist right ?
Report Post »APD847
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:46pmRe: “COLO. SHOOTING SUSPECT A ‘TOP OF THE TOP’ SCIENCE STUDENT”
Quite obvious to anyone – especially the anti-NRA fanatics – that studying science will turn one into a killer.
Report Post »swamp_donkey
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 4:36pmyep we all should stay stupid and uninformed like you
Report Post »TooManyRedneckConservatives
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:46pmIs anyone really going to doubt that this guy is a sociopath? Clearly, this was extremely pre-meditated; the “boooby-trapping” of his apartment and purchase of weapons on four separate occasions. Clearly no concern for murdering others. I don‘t understand why we don’t recognize that sociopaths (or psychopath, same thing) are one of the greatest threats to our society. Adolf Hitler, Joseph Stalin, Ted Bundy, Ted Kazinsky, Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, Joseph Mengele, even non-violent sociopaths such as Bernie Madoff and Charles Ponzi. Maybe making it a national, if not a universal priority to identify and treat psychopathic and sociopathic tendencies at a young age, might prevent a lot of violent and non-violent threats to our society.
Report Post »hauschild
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:06pmYou can’t “treat” nut jobs. You can dope them up and kick back and think you‘ve solved the world’s problems, but you really haven’t.
It’s the bell curve; there is a certain segment that’s always gonna be imbalanced, but the problem is, you cannot really determine whether they’ll become violent. Think about it: How many people in America, 315 million? How many serial killers and mass murderers? I think we can say a fraction of a fraction of 1 percent.
Then, if you get the government involved or people who’s next paycheck is based on hooking patients and getting them to come back for more treatment, you’re on a very slippery slope to locking up and destroying the lives of a lot of people that will never turn into mass murderers.
Report Post »MetaphysicalJustice
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:32pmAnother example of negative consequence resulting from a decision based not on True Reality. This is pervasive in our society today and the root of our problems. Can you say Metaphysical Justice?
Report Post »smokeysmoke
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:44pmthe man is guilty…. he should just be TORTURED, and EXECUTED… he deserves no more than that… WE SHOULD HIRE THE BEST TORTURES WE CAN FIND FROM N KOREA AND SYRIA, and USE THEIR SKILLS TO MAKE THE LAST TWO WEEKS OF THIS MANS LIFE A LIVING HELL..
Report Post »MKFlyboy
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:30pmMy wife used to think I was being too paranoid keeping my licensed pistol with me when we went to the movies. Just maybe, I could have stopped this SOB and saved many lives. Gun-free zone my a$$!
Report Post »TheArbiter
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:44pmyes, a fully armored guy is very easy to hit lethally, especially when there are panicked people running in between the two of you during your potential heroic showdown. Yes, every theater should have it’s own licensed gunslinger keeping watch during every show. Not against concealed carry, but it most likely would have added to the tragedy in this case.
Report Post »US-First
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:52pmDid you not read that he was dressed in tactical body armor? Doubtful you would have done anything except draw his fire in your direction and had those around you killed.
Report Post »MKFlyboy
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:01pmThat’s a brilliant analysis, Arbiter. And your solution is??? Sit there and wait until he runs out of ammo, hopefully before he gets to you?
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:05pmDoubtful.
Report Post »TheEDGE
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:09pmThe arbiter- So if the dirt bag was still shooting when the swat team arrived on the scene, should they have just waited outside until he ran out of ammo for fear of hurting innocent bystanders? If you hit a fully armored assailant with a .45 caliber he will go down. He may not stay down but it would stop him momentarily. Moments in a situation like that will save lives.
Report Post »guz75
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:15pm@MKFLYBOY
Report Post »No, you do exactly as people did and get out of there. Besides the body armour and the 100+ people running around, you have to consider this happened in a dark smoke filled room. I can’t imagine many people are trained to deal with all those things at the same time.
scjeff
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:20pmI agree with MK. Body armor may stop a lethal shot but take a round to your ankle or hands and you will have more than a little trouble concentrating. It may have been enough to let the crowd swarm the bastard.
Report Post »RepubliCorp
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:21pmTHEARBITER One thing is for sure, history proves you wrong. You cant show me where a armed or unarmed citizen stopping a crazed murderer did more damage than good. Not everyone is a wimp like you! So shove your stupid Lib opinion
Report Post »TheArbiter
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:47pm@ republicorp. I’m sorry, but i am not a ‘lib’ and i never said people shouldn’t have been allowed to carry concealed in the theater. All i am saying is that it most likely would not have helped in this scenario. Also, history proves YOU wrong as well. show me an instance of an armed but hopelessly outgunned John Q Public taking out a guy in full tactical gear. I myself own firearms but I don’t live in an illusion where my abilities would give me a sure shot at taking him out. As for everyone asking what my idea is on what should have been done; I don’t know what could have prevented as much bloodshed as there was, anymore than what should be done on an already crashing plane. These things happen and what really counts is how we manage the aftermath. Maybe an armed theatergoer could have lessened the damage, but not likely. Critical thinking does not make one a liberal.
Report Post »TheEDGE
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:49pmWith a surefire x300 flashlight firmly attached to my Kimber’s accessory rail and the crimson trace laser grip I recently added, a head shot from 40 feet wouldn’t be a problem. The 170 lumen light alone would be enough to disorient an untrained, gas mask wearing, skinny science dweeb. Not to mention the fact that he was silhouetted by a bright movie screen. Anyone sitting back a few rows could have taken him out before the sicko lowered his rifle from the ceiling shot. What’s so hard to imagine about being a hero?
Report Post »TheEDGE
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 6:43pmGuzzler- they don‘t call ’em heros for nothing ;)
Report Post »MKFlyboy
Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:13pmPerhaps I can get the final word on my own concise comment.
First, the key words in my post were “licensed” and “just maybe.” Even the most basic handgun training teaches you to know exactly what your target is since you can never take a bullet back. Just wanted to point that out to any who envisioned a John Q Public Gunslinger firing wildly like an idiot.
Second, of course I read that he was wearing body armor, but that doesn’t make him Iron Man. Aside from the possibility of a shot to an unprotected area, the discovery of what a few hundred foot-pounds of impact feel like on his nifty bullet-proof vest might have disoriented him enough for a couple of quick-thinking, able-bodied patrons to jump on him and stop the carnage. That was the “just maybe” part. Despite the protection, this was a disturbed 24 year old who is not used to video games shooting back at him.
The fact is, none of us was there and we could argue forever about what should or could have happened. It’s also a fact that since he was the only one in the theatre with a firearm, the outcome was completely up to his own discretion.
Report Post »lylejk
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:30pmGuy’s from California; they all are nuts over their. Sad that this dude was allowed to buy 4 weapons within a period of weeks. Thought you suppose to get a background check before being able to purchase a weapon so something doesn’t smell right here. :)
Report Post »Master.Debater
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 2:07pmHe had no criminal record and would therefore pass a background check… duh.
Report Post »Hickory
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:26pmI just read on CNS that Holmes was from OWS. There is a photo posted there of the cops dragging him away from a protest in San Diego. Hmmmmm, how is the MSM going to treat this?
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:18pmTop of the top doesn’t impress me much, most of those schools think are top of the top are good at regurgitating other people’s work back at the professor, and are really bad at having to produce on their own. Most of them, when it becomes time to produce on their own, crack when they realize they can‘t and really aren’t the top of the top.
Report Post »Cesium
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:29pm@swampy Man that is the first thing you‘ve said I’ve ever agreed with. Top scores in college doesn’t mean you have the mind, grit, or perseverance to carry through hardcore research.
Report Post »TheArbiter
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:33pm…and how is anybody supposed to do anything without first learning established concepts? did you learn to drive by first building your own car from scratch without studying and then taught yourself to drive your homemade contraption?
Report Post »sWampy
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 7:21pmSure they have to learn, but as one who most the engineers I work with know me as the top of the top, but I never was in school. I never did more than 10% of the home work assigned, and did only enough of the labs to know I had a better understanding of what was going on than anyone else in the class, then went off to do more important things, at least to me. I took 21-24 hours every semester and audited another 3-6, would have taken more if they had let me. I was the ***** that walked in 10 minutes late, if I bothered showing up at all, sat in the back, reading dr dobbs, or byte, not really paying attention, but quick to correct the teacher when they said something incorrect, or answer a question nobody else knew the answer to. I always lead the class on test scores, but rarely lead when they ranked for final grades, cause teachers hated someone that didn’t have to study, didn’t worship them, and had a much better understanding of the subject they were teaching that was a lowly undergraduate.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:06pmI‘m still thinking he has a touch of Asperger’s syndrome…..
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:19pmWell something’s going to touching his ass repeatedly in prison.
Report Post »randy
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:02pmNotice how the liberal media is treating this monster better than Zimmerman?
Report Post »Disgusting!
Someone should empty that 100 round drum magazine into this psycho!
CatB
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:13pmWe’ll see about the MSM now that they have this …. “from a churchgoing family”
As for the way they have treated Zimmerman .. it is DISGUSTING .. I agree 100%
Report Post »Green is a Lie
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:38pmIf all movie patrons would have been carry concealed weapons, they would have dropped him with far less victims. Conceal carry for all equates to a respectful society. He never would have entered a theater that he believed was full of concealed weapon holders.
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:11pmAgreed.
Report Post »Independent4233
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:01pm“In academic achievement, “he was at the top of the top,” recalled Riverside Chancellor Timothy P. White.”
This is a tragedy of epic proportions.
Obviously he snapped. I wonder if they’ll take the time to find out why.
Top of the top, but unable to find work.
If somebody checks into it and finds out he snapped, because of being passed over too many times due to losing out to less qualified AA hires, I’ll bet the leftist media will never report it.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:24pmI don’t think he snapped,he planned this for months and the booby trapped apartment required planning as well.It‘s a given he’s a psychopath but all the planning for this mass murder rules out the possibility he just ‘snapped’. IMO
Report Post »TheArbiter
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:42pmaffirmative action prevented a neuroscience major from getting a job? are you serious? this isn’t a fire or police dept we are talking about here.
Report Post »Independent4233
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:43pmTheArbiter
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:42pm
“affirmative action prevented a neuroscience major from getting a job? are you serious? this isn’t a fire or police dept we are talking about here.”
You’re probably right. Neuroscience is a field that doesn’t attract anyone, but dedicated types and not many qualify for it anyway. But there‘s something about this particular incident that just doesn’t add up.
And, yes, there was planning involved, but from what I’ve read so far this character just recently left his PHD studies in June. That would indicate….possibly…. he was at a point where he had given up on getting an advanced degree, because he felt it would be useless to do so….but I’m not really sure.
It‘s difficult for me to imagine why anybody would kill people he doesn’t even know who do not represent people he feels has wronged him in some way.
With Columbine it might have been due at least in part to bullying, but, if so, why shoot people not involvedwith it?
With the Ft. Hood shooter it could have been a case of jihad, since the people shot represented a military he thought were killing Muslims, but even that is unclear.
It’s easier for me to understand the motives of terrorists than it is these role-playing types who seem to have all slipped into insanity at some point for no obvious reason.
Report Post »WILFREDFROMSUNCITYFL
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 11:55amThis was not a tragedy. This was evil. Holmes should be executed by firing squad the moment his trial is concluded.
Report Post »progressiveslayer
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:20pmSecond that the coward needs to die.
Report Post »SPOT_OF_TEA
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:25pmThe media told me to blame Rush Limbaugh,Glenn Beck and the Tea Party………You are asking me to blame the shooter?….I never thought of that…I’l have to think that over and get back to you.
Report Post »barber2
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 12:45pmSPOT: What ? The media isn’t running that Blame Bush routine this election ? Gosh. They got so much mileage out of that in 2008. Funny. The media never blames Obama. Oh, forgot . That’s because the media is the Lefty Lap Dog Media. And Obama is a real anti-capitalist Lefty ! Never mind…
Report Post »Meyvn
Posted on July 21, 2012 at 1:14pmExecuted swiftly. When a criminal is caught red handed and guilt is 100% obvious there should not even be a trial.
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