Aurora shooting suspect set to make first court appearance
Greg Zanis made a makeshift memorial across the street from the Century 16 movie theater. (Getty) Credit: Greg Zanis made a makeshift memorial across the street from the Century 16 movie theater. (Getty)
The man charged with carrying out one the worst massacres in U.S. history is set to face a judge -- and the rest of the world -- Monday.
James Holmes, 24, hasn't yet told authorities about his motives in the massacre that took 12 lives, including a 6-year-old girl, and wounded nearly five dozen others, according to the Aurora, CO police department.
A spokeswoman for the department said the 9:30 a.m. court appearance will be streamed live, marking the first time he will be seen by the public since his arrest Friday.
The authorities said he is housed separately from the rest of the inmates but declined to comment about reports that Holmes has been the target of treats from other detainees, who allegedly called him "kid killer."
"It's for his own safety," an Aurora PD spokeswoman said.
Holmes, who was in a neuroscience Ph.D program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical School, allegedly used an assault rifle, shotgun and Glock when he opened fire at an audience watching a midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises."
The authorities released names and information on the slain victims including Veronica Moser, a six-year-old who was shot along with her mother Ashley, and John Blunk, a 25-year-old Navy veteran who died taking a bullet for his girlfriend.
Other developments:
As of Sunday, five of the 58 wounded victims were in critical condition and at least one is paralyzed, Reuters reported. President Barack Obama touched down in Denver Sunday to meet with the victims, survivors and their families.
At 6:30 p.m. Colorado time, a candlelight vigil was planned to honor victims.
Holmes bought the weapons, ammunition and materials for explosive devices from nearby stores and online shops, the authorities said.
Late Saturday night, residents living in apartment buildings near Holmes's booby-trapped apartment were allowed back into their homes after bomb squad crews spend two days defusing and safely detonating booby traps in his apartment.
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