The former Century 16, now renovated and renamed Century Aurora
AURORA, COLO. (AP) -- One survivor had to pause on his way into the theater and pray.Another braced for flashbacks as he entered the auditorium where 12 people died and dozens were injured during a massacre six months ago. Others refused to come, viewing the reopening of the multiplex as insensitive.
The former Century 16, now renovated and renamed Century Aurora, opened its doors to victims of the July 20 attack Thursday night with a somber remembrance ceremony and a special showing of "The Hobbit."
Pierce O'Farrill, wounded three times in the shooting, made a point of finding his old seat in the second row of the theater. He called it "just a part of closure."
Tom Sullivan, whose son, Alex, was killed, also attended. He said, "Nobody is going to stop us from living our lives the way that we lived our lives before."
Alex's widow, Cassandra Sullivan, joined a boycott of the event. So did Tom Teves, whose own son, Alex, also was killed.
Victims have filed at least three federal lawsuits against Texas-based Cinemark Holdings Inc., alleging it should have provided security for the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises," which was showing when the attack occurred.
(Copyright ©2013 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
TV Station Profiles & Public Inspection Files forKXRM