Twelve are dead and dozens wounded early Friday after a gunman opened fire at a screening of The Dark Knight Rises at a mall in Aurora, Colo.
The alleged shooter has been identified as 24-year-old James Holmes, a former neuroscience PhD student at the University of Colorado School of Medicine in Denver. He was arrested in the parking lot outside the theater and taken into police custody.
Police said they have no evidence of additional shooters.
The shooting took place at approximately 12:30 a.m. local time, when witnesses said the suspect, who was masked and appeared to be wearing a bulletproof vest, threw smoke bombs or tear gas canisters into the theater before opening fire.
The suspect was apprehended with four guns—one shotgun, one rifle and two handguns—according the Associated Press. The University of Colorado released this photo of Holmes:
Victims at area hospitals ranged from ages six to 31.
A Pentagon spokesman said Friday morning that three U.S. service members were wounded in the shooting.
ABC News contacted a woman living in San Diego who identified herself as Holmes’ mother, who responded to the news that her son was the suspect in the shooting by saying "You have the right person."
A spokeswoman for the Holmes family said the suspect went to high school in the San Diego area.
ABC News also reported that Holmes might have been a member of a local Tea Party group, with no corroborating evidence. The network later apologized for the "incorrect" report.
Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates said the suspect’s apartment—four miles from where the shooting took place—had been "booby-trapped" with "very sophisticated" explosive devices. Police have evacuated the entire building and five others in the surrounding area as they attempt to disarm the explosives.
President Obama and his Republican challenger Mitt Romney both issued statements in response to the tragedy.
"Michelle and I are shocked and saddened by the horrific and tragic shooting in Colorado," the president said. "As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family."
"Ann and I are deeply saddened by the news of the senseless violence that took the lives of 15 people in Colorado and injured dozens more," Romney said. "We are praying for the families and loved ones of the victims during this time of deep shock and immense grief."
Both candidates and their respective Super PACs announced Friday that they would suspend negative advertising in Colorado in response to the shooting.
Obama and Romney made brief remarks at scheduled campaign events, but cancelled their remaining events for the day.
"The federal government stands ready to do whatever is necessary to bring whoever is responsible for this heinous crime to justice," Obama said in Ft. Meyers, Fla. "And we will take every step possible to ensure the safety of all of our people."
Warner Bros. canceled the Friday "The Dark Knight Rises" premiere in Paris, as well as the corresponding press for the event.
"Warner Bros. is deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident," the studio said in a release early Friday. "We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time."