Crime

Photo of Grieving Father Defines the Anguish in Aurora

Photo of Grieving Father Tom Sullivan Defines the Anguish in Aurora | Alex Sullivan

AP

AURORA, Colo. (AP) — An overwhelming tragedy was distilled into one human moment by the agony of a father who outlived his son.

Tom Sullivan’s emotion Friday was captured in a photograph that ran on dozens of newspaper front pages and websites, giving people across the nation a glimpse of his grief as a pair of family members attempted to comfort him — and each other.

Photo of Grieving Father Tom Sullivan Defines the Anguish in Aurora | Alex Sullivan

AP

Tom Sullivan wasn’t at the theater that night, but his son Alex was a big movie buff and had been anticipating the release of “The Dark Knight Rises.” The father suspected the worst.

Photo of Grieving Father Tom Sullivan Defines the Anguish in Aurora | Alex Sullivan

AP

He went to Gateway High School, which police had designated as a staging area for information on the shooting that killed 12 people and injured dozens of others, and carried a photo of Alex to show when he asked whether anyone had seen his son.

Photo of Grieving Father Tom Sullivan Defines the Anguish in Aurora | Alex Sullivan

AP

No one had any news. Not the authorities. Not the bystanders. He began to brace himself.

“Right now, what we’re preparing for is that he is still in the movie theater,” Tom Sullivan said. At that point, the victims who had been killed were still inside.

Photo of Grieving Father Tom Sullivan Defines the Anguish in Aurora | Alex Sullivan

About an hour after the photo was taken Tom Sullivan’s anxiety regarding the situation boiled over. He held up his son’s photo and raised his voice to the crowd, according to Barry Gutierrez, who snapped the photo.

“Where’s my son? Where’s my son? Have you seen my son?” he said loudly, according to Gutierrez.

Photo of Grieving Father Tom Sullivan Defines the Anguish in Aurora | Alex Sullivan

AP

The photographer said the father’s voice was deep, pained and intense.

“It rattled my bones,” Gutierrez said. “I started to cry. I’ve cried many times thinking about it.”

Alex Sullivan, turned 27 on Friday, and had gone to see the Batman movie as part of his birthday plans. He then would have celebrated his first wedding anniversary with his wife, Cassie, on Sunday.

Photo of Grieving Father Tom Sullivan Defines the Anguish in Aurora | Alex Sullivan

AP

Late Friday, Sullivan’s family confirmed that police told them he was among those killed.

“He was a very, very good young man,” said Sullivan’s uncle, Joe Loewenguth.

Photo of Grieving Father Tom Sullivan Defines the Anguish in Aurora | Alex Sullivan

AP

He added, “He was loving, had a big heart.”

A person who answered the phone at the Sullivan home on Saturday said the family was not prepared to make a statement.

___

Moore contributed from Phoenix.

Comments (136)

  • JohnDoeSr
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:13am

    Some people seem to not like associating this tragedy with violent video games. I agree that the individual chose to do this horrendous crime, whatever the reason. Still, I cannot see how millions of people involved in playing violent, realistic video games should not be considered as a factor in driving a few of them over the edge. To say there in no connection to the violence in today’s society, including extreme violent video games, sounds like being in some kind of illogical denial.

    Report Post »  
    • smokeysmoke
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:18am

      tell me why japinese culture is WAY MORE VIOLENT in their media, entertainment, AND HAVE MROE PEOPLE PER sq MILE, and yet MUCH LOWER VIOLENCE, and crime in almost every way… SO TELL ME SINCE YOUR SO LOGICAL… HOW MANY PEOPLE PLAY VIDEO GAMES YOU CALL VIOLENT… SO IF YOUR THEORY IS TRUE, THEN SHOULDENT THERE BE MORE SHOOTINGS… OR IS IT JUST THAT EVERY TIME THERE IS ONE, THEN THEY ARE ASSOCIATED… you see the HOLE IN YOUR LOGIC… 99.9999999% of people who PLAY THESE GAMES, DONT SHOOT PEOPLE FOR NO REASON…

      Report Post » smokeysmoke  
    • WakingSheep
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:31am

      Games huh…….. I have been playing since I was 5 years old.
      I have also watched violent movies and listened to rock music.

      Nothing in any of those games compares to the violence in society and the world. WE TOTURE PEOPLE and made public that we toture people for information. Does that help us in not being a violent society? How about the Iraq war that was started over WMD‘s that weren’t there?
      We have killed how many innocents in Iraq during that war?
      There is more violence in the real world being brodcast every day on tv.
      Games, movies, and music are entertainment. They aren’t real.
      You can try to place the blame there but have you even heard whether or not this nutjob even played video games?
      The world is a violent place. It always has been and always will. The only way to ensure safety is to allow the individual to defend itself at all times.

      I have never harmed a single person other than in self defense. I have no intention to do otherwise.
      Do you plan on telling me I can‘t play video games now because somebody did this horrific act and I haven’t even heard anybody mention him playing games?

      People need to quit trying to justify reasons to take other people freedoms away. Your arguement is no different than the left trying to blame the guns for the violence.

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    • N37BU6
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:34am

      What percentage of gamers commit violent acts? How many non-gamers commit violent acts?

      There is no correlation. Sorry.

      Religion, however…

      Report Post » N37BU6  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:42am

      And before someone points out that he’s an Agnostic: I know. I’m not referring to this incident. I’m simply defending video games by pointing out the abundance of religiously motivated violence compared to “game-induced” violence. Also, just because someone is a gamer, doesn‘t mean it’s the cause. That’s like saying pizza causes violence because 87% of mass murderers like pizza when polled.

      Games didn’t do it. Religion didn’t do it. He did it.

      Report Post » N37BU6  
    • Chappie
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:06am

      Don’t become part of the media that desperately tries to point fingers John. Simply mourn.

      Also, even with the millions of people playing video games, the crime rate has been going down.

      Report Post » Chappie  
    • The_Jerk
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:31am

      It’s a sickness of the mind. The causes are as many as there are people.

      Report Post »  
    • canadianlady
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:19pm

      It is the disconnect from God that is destroying our civilization. The world is gripped by the desolate philosophy of Secular Humanism.

      Report Post »  
    • COFemale
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:26pm

      You are way off base. There is no proof this guy played video games and even if he did it is irrelevant. What is wrong with “you people”?

      This guy has a mental issue as no sane person dresses like he did and goes a shoots a room full of movie goer’s. Blame the person. He was working on his PhD, that isn’t your typical gamer.

      Do some of you just comment without reading up on the shooter? You are like “Brian Ross” making accusations without waiting for facts. No wonder Liberal news is so F’d up.

      Report Post » COFemale  
    • Gold Coin & Economic News
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:29pm

      @smokeysmoke The incidence of suicide in Japanese culture is WAY higher than it is in the United States. Their culture is a whole lot different than ours being based on performance and success while much of our culture is based on just being plain stupid, lazy and seeing what kind of hand outs you can get from government.

      Report Post » Gold Coin & Economic News  
    • bemo234
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:34pm

      To JohnDoeSr – It’s not just the violent videogames, it’s the children raised in amoral homes, by amoral parents and parents not imparting a sense of the value of life.

      The further this country gets from God the more prevalent these this will become.

      Report Post » bemo234  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:54pm

      The issue of games already came up with this and people said this lunatic did not play “violent” video games. He is, however, a known drug abuser and he thinks he is the Joker. Maybe you should focus on violent Hollywood movies instead of games. And maybe you should focus on the fact that this clown is an absolute psycho instead of movies or games. Millions of people play “violent” video games and watch “violent” movies and they don’t go out and kill people. I would agree that there should be an age limit on violent content.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • NOT A CRAZY
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:56pm

      N37 – If you are referring to Islam when you talk about religious violence I would agree with you. Beyond that you are way off base and on your own.

      Report Post » NOT A CRAZY  
    • mtnvortex
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 1:04pm

      If you blame violent movies and video games for these sort of tragedies, you ARE JUST AS BAD as the folks blaming GUNS…and not the individuals. I don‘t know why some people can’t see this correlation. You are therefore, NOT CONSERVATIVE. That is a liberal mindset. Just be honest.

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    • 1proudAmerican
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 1:35pm

      I play first-person shooter games on Xbox Live along with my 3 adult children. It’s NOT the games, it’s the PERSON.

      Report Post »  
    • Scaz
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:28pm

      Which violent video games did Charles Manson play? or Ed Gein? or Henry Lee Lucas? or Charles Whitman? or…you get my point.

      Report Post » Scaz  
    • NukeHaze
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:28pm

      Johndoe this is more connected to watching an OWS protest or even poor Wile E Coyote than video games. That is absurd to try and insinuate that games programmed hime to do this. Maybe it was the Rock and Roll music that made him do it.

      He was out of his mind to do this VERY much like the Columbine kids were except that he was not from CO but CA. More likely he was indoctrinated by the colleges he has attended and fell in with an anarchist crowd and influence where he fluorished wallowing in his miserable fantasies.

      Sorry but Call of Duty and Battfield are off the hook for this. Mario is considered violent by people like you and the ESRB. And , no, he was not imitating the tasteless grand theft auto or hitman.

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    • drakk2010
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:32pm

      SmokeySmoke: The Japanese are a deeply Spiritual people with deep commitment to family. Making any mark against society or against family is considered VERY dishonorable. They would rather die than be dishonorable, the older Japanese are more this way than the young, but they keep teaching these values. Look at the 2011 Japanese earthquake and its aftermath, very little if any looting took place….They are a model of what respect is and should be in this country.

      Report Post » drakk2010  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:44pm

      Mhmmm…. Japan’s violence is still prevalent for a country that has outlawed guns. And yes, their rate would be much higher, if the citizens there could protect themselves from the numerous perverts (chikans), and thugs trying to gain recognition by Yakuza. To protect oneself from violence, you need the means to let the violent person know, they’ll likely receive what they put out, by a public that’s equally armed.

      BTW, Japan’s population rate is in decline, due to low birth and marriage rates, so do the math.

      If you took a punk and put him in the middle of a village that consisted of a rich hippies that don’t believe in violence, you’ll soon have a village of dead used to be rich hippies. Put the same thug in a village of law abiding NRA members that were well off, as opposed to being rich, you wouldn’t have any deaths at all.

      You have to think outside the box and use common sense when dealing with thuggery. Liberals allow this notion, this logic to escape them, because most of the thuggery committed in the world is done by Liberals in the first place. They refuse to believe that by giving a citizen the right to protect themselves, it will likely prevent death, because the thug on the other side is unlikely to face his own consequences head on. We’ve tried the disarm the citizens route. Look at Chicago, for example. New York’s rates are still high compared to other places, and they do stop and frisk…

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • forthepeople
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:46pm

      John Doe Sir : Look up the work ‘ Ignorant ’ please ……..then take a breath ( maybe a few ) , do some real research, gather your thoughts , then speak …. OR just go work for CNN / CNBC ( you will fit right in ) .

      Report Post » forthepeople  
  • Joyzee
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:22am

    NO Alarms on Exit doors-you open an exit door no fire alarm sound’s….wtf

    Report Post »  
    • NukeHaze
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:40pm

      Agree on asking where the door alarms were. Disagree on the violent video games. Even violent video games have emergency doors that have alarms when opened. You cannot possibly think that video games kill people. Unless a pallet of them falls on someone. Maybe heart attack from using too much Kinect. This guy was no gamer. If he was, he would have simply done this atrocious act in a game.

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  • Joyzee
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:53am

    Another Game’r gone wild perhaps, A whole generation has grown up with violent video games just a thought!..guns are good games are bad!

    Report Post »  
    • 1proudAmerican
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:29am

      The games don’t make people do this – the ones who do are sick and would have done it whether they played first-person shooter games or not. Don’t fall into the liberal trap of blaming something (guns/games) instead of the guilty person!! HE is responsible for what he did, NOT the games!

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    • smokeysmoke
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:32am

      video games are totally irrevelant here… this was a man studying for a PhD, if he could not associate the difference between electronic gaming for entertainment, and killing real people to CREATE AN IMAGE/SYMBOL…. i recommend you WATCH THE DARK KNIGHT. batman 2 and look at the joker character, HE WAS IMITATING THIS CHARACTERS AGENDA… lay off video games, YOU SOUND WORSE THAN THE DEMS ARGUING FOR GUN CONTROL

      Report Post » smokeysmoke  
    • libsrparasites
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:37am

      When did we start blaming everything and everyone except the person who committed the crime?

      Report Post »  
    • Azzman
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:55am

      I am gun owner and I love to play first person / military shooting games on XBOX. So explain to me why I haven’t taken my guns to the movie theatre and taken the lives of innocent movie goers?

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    • WakingSheep
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:33am

      Let’s just illegalize it all! NO MORE ENTERTAINMENT!

      Have you even heard any reports of him playing games yet Mr. Brian Ross?

      Report Post »  
    • N37BU6
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:46am

      The only thing more pathetic than the liberal’s argument that “guns kill people” is “video games kill people”.

      People kill people. Don’t be such a hypocrite, because you just undermine your own arguments.

      Report Post » N37BU6  
    • NukeHaze
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:01pm

      Sorry, I had to put down my game controller in order to respond to this before someone got hurt by it.

      You are more likely to be killed by Ebola than by a gamer since gamers keep it in game. It is the nature of blowing off steam and relaxing, hobby, whatever, that keeps things in game. Not all games are in good taste but those I do not play. You would be closer to a killer by saying (I amnot implying that there is real intent here) that nice homemakers who bake great pastries are closer to being killers than a lazy gamer. Trust me I know both subjects very well AND exercise my second amendment rights. Games allow people to be places and do things in roles if they cannot afford to do the real thing. They allow you to do things in a virtual world and with those that are mmorpg type allow you to play make believe as someone or something else for a little while. It is just as crazy to say games did this as it is to say Elvis made hime do it, Bugs Bunny cartoons did it, or even the guns themselves became alive and started shooting at people.

      If this had been one of those locations that posted conceal carry allowed, this nutjob would never have targeted it. Sorry no pun intended. It is a horrible thing. Gamers (I believe I can speak for most of them regarding this) UNDERSTAND the DIFFERENCE BETWEEN REALITY AND THE GAMING WORLDS THEY LIVE IN. More likely he was just a brainwashed product of the CA (not CO) school systems and lived in a comic book world (NOT saying comic books

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  • watashbuddyfriend
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:36am

    Those liberal idiots who promote Gun Control are the ones to watch out for! Better have one or more guns for self protection, because you are soon in need to protect yourself, and family. Things are going to get a lot worse, to prepare the mentality of people to cope with the 7-year Tribulation. Have you chosen the Right Road?

     
    • Thatsitivehadenough
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:47am

      Give it a rest. Please. Our country is bleeding and so are the hearts of those who lost family & friends.

      Report Post » Thatsitivehadenough  
    • libsrparasites
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:22am

      @ THATSITIVEHADENOUGH

      There are those of us who can grieve for the victims while understanding that the left will use this to disarm your family members to ensure that they cannot defend themselves.

      So as you give it a rest, we will continue to fight to keep you and your family from being the next tragic pictures posted on this site.

      Report Post »  
  • vadale
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:30am

    Did you guys know that there was a church shooting in Co. this year where an off duty armed cop stopped a shooter after his first victim….it would have been a blood bath if not for that one guy….there was not one armed citizen to defend these people….libs would rather pass laws to make us victims rather than have us defend ourselves….liberal progressive laws make us less safe….we must block them from using this crime to impose more stupid laws.

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    • CK1911
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:05am

      There was also one in 2007 in Colorado Springs where an armed former police officer was there and shot and according to a source “Assam (carrying concealed) shot Murray before he entered 50 feet (15 m) inside the building, and that Assam probably saved “over 100 lives.” Who knows what would have happened if there had been a moviegoer with a concealed weapon. Sounds as if it was complete chaos.
      Our prayers to the families of the fallen.

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    • COFemale
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:21pm

      Actually the shooter in Colorado shot himself as soon as he saw the church security and former female police officer pointing a gun at him and firing. That church was New Life Church and I almost went that day, but the shooting up in Denver made me change my mind. Also the church heightened security because of the shootings up in Denver, so they were prepared knowing the murderer had not been caught. Two sisters lost their life that day in the parking lot.

      Report Post » COFemale  
  • Warpath18
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:17am

    I wish for god’s sake, these news organizations would just back off. Let these people be. If they want to release a statement, they will. If not, then they don’t want to talk. Prayers for the families of everyone lost, and God’s speed to the souls of the victims.

    We should publicly execute the perpetrator at the next major sporting event after his conviction. I’d do the honors.

    Report Post »  
    • Taquoshi
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:16pm

      We now have news 24/7 and these reporters have to say something to fill the time, so they spout off whatever comes to mind. Any crumb of information – right, wrong or otherwise – is seized upon and broadcasted. The Tea Party member who has a similar name to the perp has been receiving death threads, thank you very much, Mr. Ross.

      Report Post » Taquoshi  
  • LovinUSA
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:16am

    God Bless the families who lost loved ones, comfort them in their time of need, dear Lord. Please rid the world, and the satanic sickness that has infected and devastated us all.

    Report Post » LovinUSA  
  • Centurian
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:09am

    PLEASE STOP THESE STORIES ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED!!!

    Please, Blaze, let the people involved in the terrible tragedy bury their loved ones in peace and let the authorities do their job.

    I don‘t need to know the lunatic’s background or whether he had a couple bowls of Capt’n Crunch before heading out.

    Evil is evil.

    Love is love. And true healing for the grieving will not happen until the media lets this go. We will all find out the details when the trial starts.

    Report Post » Centurian  
    • RightUnite
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:21am

      Amen!! Couldn’t agree more. The more they show this, the more they sensationalize it. This is so sad……

      Report Post »  
  • sta
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:03am

    I would like to know why the families had to wait 19 hours to find out who was killed.

    Report Post »  
  • vpeva1
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:52am

    “Unfortunately, out there in that dark arena, there may be is someone who is unbalanced or angry enough to be taking notes”.

    >>Chilling<<

    Report Post »  
  • scrudge
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:24am

    Ah Yes…. very sorry for this family…. BUT …. when you go to a C U L T movie things like this happens… ask warner bros. why they oked the making of this type of film ??

    Report Post »  
    • WILL_OF_LANDREW
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:07am

      @ Scrudge that is complete nonsense! So what do you mean? If something happens to me right now you will say sorry BUT that is what I get for being up early and commenting on the Blaze. I think are right on par with Holmes as a deranged attention getter.

      Report Post » WILL_OF_LANDREW  
    • WakingSheep
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:00am

      Cult movie? Really?……….

      Worst arguement ever.
      Congratulations!

      Report Post »  
  • JohnLarson
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:16am

    If we made extended clips illegal for civilian use and hard to purchase, less people might have died…

    Report Post »  
    • ArmyWifeNiz
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:23am

      The bad guy just would have brought more guns. This evil person wired his own apartment to have even more damage sustained. Criminals don’t follow restrictions.

      Report Post » ArmyWifeNiz  
    • vadale
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:23am

      So now they will want to make it unlawful to carry in a theater…..As if the criminal is gonna see that law and decide not to commit his evil….You can’t legislate evil…only defend against it….it would only have taken one armed citizen to save most of these lives, but, liberals would rather us all be victims….it makes them feel better….stupid libs.

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:27am

      If Colorado had an open carry, or conceiled carry, this wouldn’t have happened because there would have been armed citizens, legally, who would have taken him out after the first shot. You don’t think people plan for this? No one in the theatre could be armed, so it was shooting fish in a barrel.

      Report Post »  
    • normbal
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:47am

      You’d be much happier and less smugly self-satisfied if he had thrown a couple of five-gallon firebombs inside, wouldn’t you?

      Report Post » normbal  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:36am

      Do some research Loriann12. Colorado DOES have both concealed carry, and Open carry. I have a license and carry my pistol on my hip in places. But the theater forbids concealed carry. Don’t blame Colorado, blame the people who won’t let us use our rights.

      LORIANN12
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:27am
      If Colorado had an open carry, or conceiled carry, this wouldn’t have happened

      Report Post »  
    • libsrparasites
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:45am

      @vadale

      Cinemark had already made it illegal for law abiding citizens to carry in their theatre.

      And in return, they facilitated a shooting gallery for the this psycho.

      Report Post »  
    • CK1911
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:33am

      Wrong. There is a link on drudgereport that his 100 rd mag jammed. Not sure if it’s accurate or not. Either way it takes about 2 seconds to change regular 20 or 30 round mags. Blame this evil psycho not the method he used. If he had driven an SUV into the crowd waiting outside the theater, you wouldn’t be calling for a ban on automobiles, would you? Or maybe you would.

      Report Post »  
    • vigibill
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:20pm

      Speculation here: I’d be willing to bet that 100 round Beta mag jammed and took the fight out of him. Those things are notorious for jamming, especially with cheap ammo (I don’t know what he was using). There’s nothing like an equipment failure in the middle of ones “glory” to deflate the ego.
      They say he willingly gave up and began talking to police until he finaly came back to his senses and asked for a lawyer. Maybe it was the jamming magazine that caused him to stop.

      Report Post » vigibill  
  • MacJedi
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:05am

    First, to the Sullivan family, I cannot know your grief, but the pictures of you are of me had such horror come up my house. I can only hope the Peace of God in Christ will guide you through this terrible loss. For the rest of us, looking for sense and direction in this outrageous event, I offer to you reliable truth in Luke 12: 1-5. Each of us need the peace, purpose and presence of God in our lives to live lives that honor God and serve our fellow man. Faith in Christ is the answer, before and after the ‘thief in the night’ strikes at our very souls. The fight against evil must start within each of us. Romans 12:21

    Report Post » MacJedi  
    • MacJedi
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:13am

      MY apologies, I meant Luke 13: 1-5

      Report Post » MacJedi  
    • JohnLarson
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:20am

      Not the time to push your religion…

      Report Post »  
    • xmilitary
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:41am

      JohnLarson: Not only are the Gospels timeless, the passage quoted is spot on. You embody the phrase, “There’s none so blind as those who will not see.”

      Report Post »  
    • anniegtyrgun
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:46am

      I speak from experience, loosing my 21 year old son, who was a marine that someone sharing a verse from the bible gave me comfort. There is a lot of dumb things people can say at a time like this isn’t one of them.

      Report Post »  
  • VoteThemOutNow
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 6:56am

    Many of the deaths or casualties could have been avoided if someone had returned fire. This type of psycho coward has no idea how to handle being targeted and then put down like the animal he is.
    OPEN CARRY and a trained shooter will keep this garbage in the sewer where it comes from.

    Report Post »  
    • JohnLarson
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:22am

      Only psychos bring guns to movie theaters… and unless they brought an assault rifle, they would be outgunned.

      Do you want to live in a civilian led police state?

      Report Post »  
    • LameLiberals
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:29am

      Exactly.

      So much for the myth that Colorado is the rugged West. More like a bunch of wimps. They were fish in a barrel to this shooter. Not even the vets and ex-vets carried their own concealed carry.

      Report Post »  
    • sta
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:02am

      The guy was totally in black body armor, in a dark smoke filled theater. I’m not sure anyone could have gotten him with a handgun.

      Report Post »  
    • bpodlesnik
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:13am

      So you think opening fire in a dark movie theater, with people running everywhere was the best idea? I agree that there are situations where firing back may be the best thing, but not in this situation. Your instinct should be to help get people out of there. Shooting back would have just upped the body count.

      Report Post » bpodlesnik  
    • RRFlyer
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:38am

      Again, Colorado does allow for Open Carry, and concealed carry. BUt places of business can forbid weapons. This theater forbids people to legally carry weapons inside. That’s the problem, not the laws

      Report Post »  
    • libsrparasites
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:42am

      The comments for johnlarson are a scene right out of dumb and dumber.

      Report Post »  
    • c.parker
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 10:18am

      Mr Larson, “out gunned”? Only one round is needed in the hands of someone who has been trained and is willing to take a risk to save those around him.

      Report Post »  
    • WakingSheep
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:04am

      @JohnLarson
      Do you trust a goverment led police state more?
      How many reports have I read this year on police brutality or excessive use of force….. hmmmm……

      Report Post »  
  • Joe_2112
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 6:05am

    Disgusting, BLAZE exploiting the the tragedy, just like the rest of the media. Showing pictures of people in despair, misery, anger, and tears for effect. Not even 24 hrs later and the media is profiling the victims, their last tweets, etc. What next, a movie coming out next week?

    Report Post »  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 6:51am

      Every time I read stuff like this, I just wanna slap folk stupid. Do us a favor: STFU GTFO

      It’s generally understood that this is an emotional time for those involved, It’s also understood that it could easily be any one of us or our family members as well. Nobody is seeking to exploit a thing here. If there’s any means of exploiting this situation, take a closer look at the Gun control zealots doing everything possible to destroy the 2nd Amendment. That’s exploiting this tragic situation, just like they did with the Gifford shooting.

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
    • Joe_2112
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:26am

      APPLE BITE – Really man? Would you want an image of your uncontrollable, and inconsolable grief from losing a loved one, plastered on a media webpage? I bet you wouldn’t. That is personal, and should remain private. The media is shameless, and anybody with half a brain knows that this is pure exploitation. I mean, really, victims last tweets being made public? Why? How about instead investigating on the absurdity of the the official story, and who might really be behind the person who supposedly committed this act. If you believe he was a lone wolf, you are sadly mistaken. Who the hell are you tell someone to STFU or GTFO for exposing the TRUTH about the runaway madness of the media glamorizing, and profiteering from this event?

      Report Post »  
    • Matrix22
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 12:09pm

      And yet you came here looking for articles on the subject, saw one, commented on it, and tried to excoriate the Blaze for providing exactly what you came looking for? Ironic much?

      Report Post »  
    • Joe_2112
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:36pm

      MATRIX 22 – You couldn’t be more wrong. I come here, like I do many other “alternative media” sites, to avoid spin, and get news not being reported by “mainstream media”. Even then I’m skeptical of what I read. Bottom line, I’m not looking for blood, guts, or feeling other peoples misery, nor am I interested in their last tweet or text message before being killed etc. Just report the tragedy, don’t parade it. I commented because I saw the picture, and find it sickening the way the media exploits other peoples heartache and loss, whether it be a tornado or mass murder. What’s worse, the whole scenario as to how this all went down is littered with holes, and half azz information. That never stopped the media vultures and exploiters from putting it out there though, does it? Get a clue

      Report Post »  
    • Apple Bite
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:53pm

      How is it profiteering by talking about the people affected by this situation? It has to be told. Nobody is running around with flashing lights and streamers saying : “OMG LOOK AT THE BLOOD AND GUTS ALL OVER THE PLACE!!! FAMILIES ARE RUNNING RAMPANT FEVERISHLY. HOW UNRELENTING THIS SITUATION IS!! THE GUN MAN WAS FINALLY CAUGHT WITH A MURDEROUS SMILE ON HIS FACE!!”

      Come on. Really, who would do such a thing at a time like this? Because MSM is playing it 24/7, it means The Blaze should simply pretend it didn’t happen? Sensationalizing a story requires less human emotion attached and more story telling glorifying the details.

      Report Post » Apple Bite  
  • ParkerOnFoodStamps
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 4:12am

    I will pray for your family , Mr. Sullivan. May God give you peace through this unthinkable tragedy. I am so sorry.

    Report Post »  
  • Guitar Master
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 4:01am

    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
    From THE REPORTER
    zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

    There is only one way to stop this kind of atrocity from happening in the future.

    BOYCOTT EVERY SINGLE MOVIE WITH ANY TYPE OF VIOLENCE OR SEX IN IT !!

    The public is just too lazy and addicted violence & sex to do such a thing. Not now, not ever.

    Report Post »  
    • vox_populi
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 4:32am

      “BOYCOTT EVERY SINGLE MOVIE WITH ANY TYPE OF VIOLENCE OR SEX IN IT !!”

      I know, right? Remember the good old days, before movies, when we didn’t have any acts of violence whatsoever?

      Report Post » vox_populi  
    • Rob
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 5:35am

      We should boycott religion and then we wouldn’t have nuts that blow up things and picket funerals.

      Report Post »  
    • philipzhao
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 6:21am

      This should have been done 100 years ago !

      Report Post »  
    • historyguy48
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 6:59am

      Comrade Vox. Do you mean like the Roman gladitorial contests, the occassional burning of witchs at the stake, and other non-violent fun things mankind has done. Sure I remember the good old days! It is all just so tame and boring now when they show scenes of graphic violence and everybody goes home when they are done shooting!
      People say dumb things, especially people looking for attention. Personally I am disgusted with the media feeding frenzy going on now! Last night I couldn’t take it any more and I made my wife turn on the baseball game. Don’t get me wrong, I love baseball, and I have seen way to much stuff like this in my lifetime!

      Report Post » historyguy48  
    • TickleMyPickle
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:00am

      “BOYCOTT EVERY SINGLE MOVIE WITH ANY TYPE OF VIOLENCE OR SEX IN IT !!”

      I know, right? Remember the good old days, before movies, when we didn’t have any acts of violence whatsoever?

      ——– I Smell Sarcasm ——–

      Report Post »  
    • BarbWire
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:17am

      I agree with you that movies are bad. And that more people should be wise about what they put into their brains. However, the movie didn’t cause the murder, the guns did not cause the murder, and my spoon isn’t what made me fat.

      Report Post »  
  • majasdad
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:55am

    When will people learn??

    Time for stricter gun control…period.

    Report Post »  
    • M13
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 4:13am

      You are a complete fool.

      Report Post »  
    • Diane TX
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 4:25am

      Yes, majasdad is a complete fool. Does he even notice that James Holmes ignored the “gun free zone” policy of the movie theater?

      Report Post »  
    • UnifiedSerenity
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 4:30am

      Yeh, because not allowing guns works, right? I mean, the theater was a gun free zone after all, and that really helped the people killed there. Seriously, do you even think beyond your programming?

      Report Post » UnifiedSerenity  
    • samheaken
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 6:42am

      Chicago has the highest murder rate in the country and Daley banned guns a long time ago. Really works well!

      Report Post »  
    • watashbuddyfriend
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 8:35am

      Yes, @majasdad, you are a fool for even thinking of such! Better have one or more for self protection, because you are soon in need to protect yourself, and family. Things are going to get a lot worse, to prepare the mentality of people to cope with the 7-year Tribulation. Have you chosen the Right Road?

      Report Post »  
    • Common Sense 24
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 9:48am

      You go ahead and think that Majasdad. As for me, I am a MAN. I take responsibility for protecting my wife and children. I do not depend on someone else for our safety. In this situation, I would have been returning fire in an effort to save my family and others while you cower in the corner ******* your pants waiting for someone to come save you. Not only are you a gutless sack, you are stupid as well. I pray for your children that they may one day learn what it means to be a responsible Dad. When seconds count, the police are only minutes away.

      Report Post » Common Sense 24  
    • WakingSheep
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 11:36am

      Idiot

      Go read the Communist manifesto and look what happened in the Soviet Union, Nazi Germany, and China.

      Again, Idiot

      Report Post »  
    • Hoax And Chains
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 7:53pm

      God you are sooooo right! I mean… look at illegal drugs!!! Making those illegal cleaned up the streets and now only law abiding citizens don’t do drugs. Unfortunately, moron, the people with disregard for the law still possess drugs as those types will also have guns. Smith and Wesson in my hand is quicker than state-sponsored dial-a-prayer. It took the cops a minute to a minute and a half to get there… someone trained, with the CCW permit could have saved many lives and ended the tragedy much sooner. You’re a good little dreamer though.

      Report Post »  
  • Valkaneer
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:19am

    Seeing the pain on this mans face… I have two small boys, and to think what this man and family as many others are going through….. Just take a look at his picture, it says a lot. I can’t help but shed some tears for this man and his family, as well as the hundres of others that are feeling the same pain from the loss of loved ones.

    Report Post » Valkaneer  
    • TEXASGRANNY73
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 5:37am

      Thank you. I cannot find the words to express the tragedy one sees in this picture. One feels this way when we lose a precious love and there is an absolute and no return. There is no cure or forgetfulness ever. I cannot fathom how anyone who loses a child so young manages the rest of their life on this planet. That in itself should give a pause to those who do not believe in a higher power. Can you imagine what Mary must have felt losing Jesus? The song comes to mind “Lean on me.”

      Report Post »  
  • Robert25252
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 3:11am

    If that picture doesn,t bring you to tears when you first see it, than nothing else will. That picture makes statement to the world. God will take care of his son and the rest of the victims.

    Report Post »  
  • voodoolife
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:41am

    Nothing I can say would help. God help this man and his family… :(

    Report Post » voodoolife  
  • cookcountypatriot
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:28am

    my heart aches for that man and all the others who lost loved ones and had loved ones injured….as we hear all the professionals tell us why this happened i can only think of one thing…im 53 and in 53 yrs i have seen god and jesus christ yanked from our society ….a godless society will see many godless things happen…. when we pray for these people lets also pray for our society and our country

    Report Post » cookcountypatriot  
  • LoveBringsTruth
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:27am

    Terrible.

    I’m sorry Mr Sullivan.

    Report Post »  
  • The Shadowmaster
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:25am

    Maybe we should stop glorifying villains in movies. The hero has been spat upon for decades. The anti-hero is celebrated. The John Wayne type is dead. In his place is a never-ending assortment of evil, corrupt, decadent, degenerate, low-life, misfit characters who are seen as hip and cool. The Joker in The Dark Knight was seen as cool. The killer in Colorado sees the Joker as cool. He wants to be him in real life.The good guy is seen as square. The bad guy cool. Kids are being fed this poison on a daily basis. You are what you eat and you are what you think.

    Report Post »  
    • yazoo
      Posted on July 22, 2012 at 5:56am

      People see so much violence I think they lose sight of how awful, how painful and frightening the real thing might be. For the overwhelming percentage of violence aficionados, the violence offers titillation and a brief thrill. Unfortunately,out there in that dark arena, there may be is someone who is unbalanced or angry enough to be taking notes.
      The makers of movies must bring down their dependence to this all too easy method of filling the minuets and making money. There are some things the industry should do like setting a 21 year old age for admittance to such gore fests and banning them from any DVD sale. What the public can do is not buy tickets.

      Report Post »  
  • godlovinmom
    Posted on July 22, 2012 at 2:05am

    The first photo pretty much says it all…such a tragedy…my heart goes out to Aurora, Colorado.

    Report Post » godlovinmom  

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