Sailor missing, feared dead in Colo. shooting
2 airmen injured in movie premiere chaos
By Jeff Schogol and Mark D. Faram - Staff writers
Posted : Friday Jul 20, 2012 17:44:54 EDT
One sailor is still missing in the wake of a tragic theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., that has left 12 dead and 59 wounded after a man opened fire during the premiere showing of the newest Batman film.
According to the Navy, five sailors were known to be in the Century 16 theater complex shortly after midnight Friday, when the shooting occurred.
Of those, four are accounted for. Three sailors escaped unharmed, and one injured sailor was treated at the scene and released. The nature of the sailor’s injuries is unknown.
But one male sailor known to be in the theater remained unaccounted for as of 5 p.m. Eastern time, and officials are worried he could be one of the dead, though there’s been no official confirmation, according to the Navy.
Two airmen were injured in the incident, according to a Defense Department statement.
“The Navy and the Air Force are working with the families of these service members to ensure they have the care and attention they need,” read the statement, released Friday.
The shooting happened at a movie theater about five miles from Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.
All five sailors were attached to Navy Information Operations Command, Colorado. That command falls under the Navy’s cyber command and the U.S. 10th Fleet.
“This tragic event has affected everybody here at Buckley Air Force Base and our local community friends and neighbors,” base commander Col. Daniel Dant said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of each and every loved one. All military or their families affected can receive assistance through our base services. Please contact the base chapel 720-847-4631 if you or a loved one need assistance due to this event.”
James Holmes, 24, has been named in media reports as the man in custody in connection with the mass shooting, which occurred at a premiere of “The Dark Knight Rises” in Aurora.
The Pentagon’s statement said Holmes never served in any branch of the military.
In addition to those killed, 59 people were wounded after the gunman set off a gas canister and started shooting about 30 minutes into the film.
