Official: Suspect's family's 'hearts go out' to victims
AURORA, Colo. — A former medical student in a gas mask barged into a crowded Denver-area theater during a midnight showing of the Batman movie on Friday, hurled a gas canister and then opened fire, killing 12 people and injuring at least 50 others in one of the deadliest mass shootings in recent U.S. history.
The California family of the suspect says their hearts go out to those involved.
Police in San Diego read a statement Friday morning from family members of 24-year-old Jason Holmes, who graduated from high school in the San Diego area. The family asked the media to respect their privacy. They say they're cooperating with authorities in San Diego and Aurora, Colo., and are trying to process everything.
The suspect was in the doctoral program at the University of Colorado School, spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery said. She did not know when he started school or why he withdrew. He was not in medical school as previously reporter.
He studying neuroscience in a Ph.D. program at the University of Colorado-Denver graduate school. He enrolled in the program in June 2011 and was in the process of withdrawing.
Authorities did not release a motive. The FBI said there was no indication that the shooting is tied to any terrorist groups.
The suspect had an assault rifle, a shotgun and two pistols, a federal law enforcement official said.