14 Batman fans die as gunman opens fire in the US

A masked gunman has killed 14 people and injured around 50 more at a midnight showing of new Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises. 

The attack took place in the early hours of Friday morning, in a mall in the suburb of Aurora in Denver, Colorado. The gunman opened fire during a shooting scene in the movie, causing confusion, and witnesses have told police that he released a smoke or tear gas canister before he began firing at individuals.

CNN has quoted one witness who described the gunman as a “guy slowly making his way up the stairs and firing, picking random people”.

Another witness explained: “We heard anywhere from 10 to 20 shots and little explosions going on. Shortly after that we heard people screaming. Then they came on PA system and said everyone needed to get out.”

The police have arrested a male suspect in his mid-20s in the car park of the mall. The man is said to have been found with a rifle, handgun and a gas mask he wore during the attack, and his apartment building has since been evacuated. 

Police spokesman Frank Fania said: “He did not resist; he did not put up a fight.”

Ten people were declared dead at the scene, and four more have since died in hospital. A spokeswoman for Denver’s Swedish Medical Centre has said that three critical patients were admitted with gunshot wounds while Denver Health hospital has admitted six more patients, one of whom is in a critical condition.

Aurora Police Chief, Dan Oates, told a news conference: “This is a horrific event.” He went on to say that the police were not looking for any more suspects, as there is no evidence of a second gunman.

Abbie Cavendish