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Crystal Lake native confirmed dead in theater shooting

A former Crystal Lake man who was inside the Aurora, Colo., movie theater that was attacked by a masked gunman early Friday morning, has been confirmed dead, according to the family.

John Larimer was in the U.S. Navy, stationed in Colorado, and went to see the midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” with others, according to a family member who didn't provide her name, but identified herself as Larimer's sister's mother-in-law.

The parents of John Larimer released a statement that Navy officials notified them about midnight that their 27-year-old son was one of the 12 killed in the shootings at the Aurora movie theater.

The family says that Larimer's brother Noel is working with the Navy to bring his body back home to Crystal Lake. Larimer is the fourth victim identified by family members so far.

The Navy says another sailor was treated and released for injuries sustained at the theater. Both were from a unit that belongs to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Tenth Fleet at Buckley Air Force.

“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,” according to a military statement.

A family member said Larimer is the youngest of five siblings. A 2003 graduate of Crystal Lake South High School, Larimer trained at the Great Lakes Naval Academy, and was stationed at the Buckley Air Force base in Aurora, Colo. for about a year.

Julie Gates described John Larimer as having a good sense of humor when she would walk her dogs, they would growl at him, yet he would still pet them. She also recalled a time when her daughter set up a lemonade stand and John stopped to buy a glass, and left a good tip.

“I feel very bad for the parents. My heart goes out to the family,” Gates said.

Ÿ Daily Herald staff writer Elena Ferrarin and wire services contributed to this report.

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