Latest southern Colorado news, weather and sports from FOX21 News

AURORA, COLO. -- UPDATE:

Governor John Hickenlooper has released a statement about the Aurora theater shooting.

"This is not only an act of extreme violence, it is also an act of depravity. It is beyond the power of words to fully express our sorrow this morning. Our prayers and condolences go first to the families of those killed, and we share the grief of everyone affected by this senseless event. We appreciate the swift work by local, state and federal law enforcement. Coloradans have a remarkable ability to support one another in times of crisis. This one of those times."

UPDATE:

FOX21's sister station in Denver, KDVR, reports the father of a 6-year-old girl has died in the Aurora theater shooting.

UPDATE:

Aurora P.D. is asking anyone with information about the shooting to call 303-627-3100.

Families of people at the Century 16 theater looking for loved ones should go to Gateway High School, 1300 S. Sable in Aurora.

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UPDATE:

Federal law enforcement officials say the suspect in Friday's deadly shooting in Colorado is James Holmes, a 24-year-old white American.

Officials believe Holmes killed a dozen people when he fired into a crowded movie theater in a Denver suburb. He was wearing a gas mask and set off an unknown gas in the theater.

The Defense Department says Holmes never served in the Army.

Holmes is in police custody, and the FBI says there is no indication that incident is tied to any terrorist groups.

The federal law enforcement officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an ongoing investigation

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A gunman opened fire early Friday at a movie theater in Aurora, killing 12 people and leaving at least 50 other injured, Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said.

The shooting occurred during a showing of the latest Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises," police said.

The violence erupted about 12:30 a.m. as the gunman stood at the front of one of the Century 16 theaters at the Aurora Mall.

"Witnesses tell us he released some sort of canister. They heard a hissing sound and some gas emerged and the gunman opened fire," Oates said at a news conference.

One suspect is in custody and there's no evidence of any additional shooters, Oates said.

There was no immediate word of any motive.

Two people in critical condition were rushed to nearby Swedish Medical Center, spokeswoman Nicole Williams said.

She said emergency crews told her staff to prepare for several more patients from the shooting scene.

FOX21 News has a crew at the scene and will bring you more information as it becomes available.