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-- Cong. Mike Coffman, (R- Colorado) .
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In Malls & Movie Theatres Nationwide...
"I expected incidents to occur at this level of violence in Iraq... not Aurora" Coffman, a combat veteran from the first Gulf War and the Iraq War, told CBS Denver Friday morning.
Coffman, who grew up in Aurora and now represents a portion of the city in his 6th District, said he spoke with Aurora mayor Steve Hogan this morning. |
In Paris France.....
The Paris premiere of the new Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" was canceled Friday after a gunman killed at least a dozen people at a Colorado opening of the same film.
The event at a movie theater on the French capital's famed Champs-Elysees Avenue was supposed to include director Christopher Nolan and stars like Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine.
But on Friday afternoon, workers were pulling down the red carpet display. Some could be seen carrying away a large mask that had adorned the facade of the theater.
Warner Bros. said in a statement that it was also canceling all media interviews in the city. The studio said it was "deeply saddened" by the shooting.
On The Campaign Trail....
President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney altered their campaign schedules to address the killings. Both issued statements of condolences, calling for prayer and unity in the aftermath of the overnight bloodshed at a suburban Denver movie theater.
The enormity and horror of the incident immediately injected a new tone to the campaign, essentially demanding that both candidates for the time halt politics and attend to the nation's shock at the tragedy.
Both the Obama and Romney campaigns rushed to pull down negative advertising on television. Vice President Joe Biden canceled a fundraiser in Texas and first lady Michelle Obama did the same for planned campaign events in Virginia.
Romney, in his own statement, said: "We are praying for the families and loved ones of the victims during this time of deep shock and immense grief. We expect that the person responsible for this terrible crime will be quickly brought to justice."
President Barack Obama says the tragic movie theater shooting in Colorado that left 12 people dead is a reminder that life is fragile. He says the event "reminds us of all the ways that we are united as one American family."
Hear The President's Remarks
In Florida for a campaign swing, Obama asked for a moment of silence Friday and focused his shortened remarks exclusively on the tragedy.
Obama said the shooting underscores how "our time here is limited and it is precious." He said Friday should be devoted to prayer and reflection.
Obama was notified at dawn at his hotel near West Palm Beach, Fla., by his counterterrorism adviser, John Brennan. The White House said there was no apparent connection to terrorism."As we do when confronted by moments of darkness and challenge, we must now come together as one American family. All of us must have the people of Aurora in our thoughts and prayers as they confront the loss of family, friends, and neighbors," Obama said in a statement.
White House spokesman Jay Carney said that Obama's "first reaction upon hearing about this was his immediate concern that the incident was over that no other people were in danger. His second reaction was what you feel as a parent," Carney said, pausing to collect himself, "as you can imagine."Carney later added: "He mentioned to me how heavy his heart is and the pain he understands parents and loved ones must be suffering."