Denver shooting: Masked gunman kills 12 at Batman premiere

A masked gunman has killed 12 people and wounded at least 40 others at a screening of the new Batman movie ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ in the Aurora area of Denver, Colorado.

It has been reported by the BBC that one of the victims was only three months old, while Associated Press (AP) have said another victim was only 6 years of age. The condition of both children is yet to be confirmed.

The Aurora Police Department said in a statement that "12 persons are deceased, with the bodies of 10 victims still at the crime scene inside the theatre. At least two more victims died at area hospitals."

A 24-year-old man, named by FBI sources as 24-year-old James Holmes, was arrested by police and “put up no resistance” according to a BBC reporter. 

Police say the suspect was in possession of a rifle and hand-gun. CBS reports that Holmes’ home was "booby-trapped" in anticipation of a police presence.

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A local man who had spoken to a female witness from the theatre told the BBC that she said a “6-foot tall man kicked through the door in a riot helmet. He had a bullet proof vest. He was completely covered in all black and had goggles on.”

US President Barack Obama has released a statement saying he and Michelle Obama are "shocked and saddened" by the attack.

His statement went on to say, "Federal and local law enforcement are still responding, and my administration will do everything that we can to support the people of Aurora in this extraordinarily difficult time."

Approximately 50 people were shot, including the dead, the wounded of which were rushed to six nearby hospitals either by ambulance or police vehicles.

Police found the gunman in a car park behind the cinema. They said "the shooting had gone on for some time".

A spokesman for the Aurora Police force said there was no evidence of a second gunman contrary to an earlier rumour.

AP says the attack is the worst mass shooting in the US since the 2007 Virginia Tech massacre in which 32 people were killed. The cinema where the attack took place is just under 20 miles from Columbine High School, where two students shot dead 13 people in 1999

Brenda Stuart, from KOA Radio, told Sky News: "This started with a midnight showing of the new ‘Dark Knight’ movie and the theatres were packed that were showing this movie.

"People inside tell us they thought it was part of the movie. They heard what they thought were firecrackers, loud bangs and all of a sudden they saw the bullets flying.

"Police officers are carting the injured to the hospital in their own cars, not waiting for the ambulances."

The crime scene is still being treated as active and the mall has been closed off. A makeshift hospital has been set up to tend to the wounded with sniffer dogs reportedly in action to search for any potential explosive devices.

A witness told 9News that during a shooting scene in the film he heard loud bangs and a lot of smoke and initially thought they were live special effects put on by the cinema.

Warner Bros. the studio behind the film issued a statement saying: "Warner Bros. is deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time."