Suspect in Aurora Shooting

The gas mask-wearing suspect arrested in connection with a mass shooting in the Denver suburb of Aurora has been identified as James Holmes, 24, of North Aurora.

Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates says witnesses reported the person released some type of a canister, then they heard a hissing sound and saw a gas — and then the gunman started shooting.

Officers found the suspect near a car behind the theater and also located a gas mask, rifle, handgun and shotgun.

Police haven’t indicated if there was a motive.

After his arrest, Holmes alluded to having bombs at his house as well, police said. The FBI, police, firefighters, bomb squad, SWAT team and other investigators swarmed Holmes’ apartment at Paris Street and 17th Avenue in North Aurora.

Oates said the apartment is booby trapped with flammable or explosive devices. Oates, who said he saw a picture of the setup, called the devices “very sophisticated.”

Five buildings in the area have been evacuated. Oates also said police might be at the apartment for hours or even days.

Witnesses said he was dressed in black and was wearing a gas mask and bulletproof vest. New York City’s police commissioner says the gunman in the Colorado movie theater rampage had painted his hair red and called himself the Joker – the villain from the Batman movies.

Holmes’ mother, Arlene Holmes, said her son moved from San Diego to Colorado about a year ago to pursue a PhD.

The Call7 Investigators at our sister station, KMGH, have learned that Holmes was a student at CU-Denver. He started classes in Fall 2011 in the neuroscience program and his last classes were in May of this year.