Our hearts go out to all involved in this horrible tragedy. May peace and comfort fall upon all the victims and their families. Please accept our deepest condolences and God bless. From Need Great Info
Never Forget ~ 7-20-12
Veronica Moser - Age: 6
Veronica Moser was a lovely little six year old girl who attended Holly ridge Elementary School in Denver. She was so proud that she had learned to swim this summer. A statement from her great-aunt Annie Dalton said: "She loved to dress up and read and was doing well at school. She was beautiful and innocent," "It's a nightmare right now."
Veronica’s mother Ashley, who was recently accepted to medical school, was shot in the abdomen and neck. She is in critical condition with the bullet still lodged in her neck as the doctors can not remove it. They are saying she might recover with some use of her hands. They know she will have some paralysis but they don’t know how bad it will be at this time.
RIP Veronica Moser. Blessings to Ashley Moser! As a mother myself I can not even begin to know what she must be feeling at this time. I pray for a speedy recovery and for peace, comfort and the much need strength to get through this very difficult time.
Alex Sullivan - Age: 27
Alex Sullivan was so excited to see The Dark Knight Rises for his 27 birthday. He also was going to be celebrating his wedding anniversary on Sunday. “#TheDarkKnightRises OMG COUNTING down till it start can’t wait going to be the best birthday ever,” Sullivan said in a tweet just before the movie started.
A statement released by the Sullivan family said: "The Sullivan family lost a cherished member of their family today," "Alex was smart, funny, and above all loved dearly by his friends and family." “Alex was a gentle giant, known and loved by so many. He always had a glowing smile on his face and he made friends with everyone. Alex enjoyed all sorts of movies, was an avid comic book geek and loved the New York Mets,”
He was a wonderful man with a kind and warming heart and many of his friends and family have been leaving him messages on his facebook page.
RIP Alex Sullivan. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
Jessica Ghawi - Age: 24
Jessica Ghawi who had narrowly missed a shoot-out at a Toronto mall just last month, was among those killed last night in the shooting at the Aurora movie theater. She was an aspiring sportscaster who just moved to Denver, Colorado from San Antonio, Texas for a job in broadcasting. Just weeks before her death she had blogged about how lucky she was and how fragile life is. She was at the movie with her friend, Brent Lowak, who was also shot in his lower extremities while attending to Jessica. After she passed away he escaped the theater. After the experience at the Toronto mall she wrote on her blog:
"I was shown how fragile life was on Saturday. I saw the terror on bystanders' faces. I saw the victims of a senseless crime. I saw lives change. I was reminded that we don't know when or where our time on Earth will end, when or where we will breathe our last breath. For one man, it was in the middle of a busy food court on a Saturday evening,"
RIP Jessica Ghawi. Our hearts go out to her family and friends.
Matt McQuinn - Age: 27
Matt McQuinn and his girlfriend Samantha Yowler, also 27, had recently moved to Colorado from Ohio last fall. When the shooting began Matt jumped in front of Samantha and her brother shielding them from the gunfire when he was himself shot and killed. Samantha was shot in the knee and survived her brother made it out unharmed.
A statement from the family’s lawyer Rob Scott said: "As both families mourn the loss of Matt, they ask for everyone to give them distance and time. Again, the families thank everyone for their love, prayers and ask that we respect their families' wishes.
RIP Matt McQuinn. Our hearts go out to his family and friends. We also would like to wish a speedy recovery to Samantha Yowler. Peace be with you!
Micayla (Cayla) Medek - Age: 23
Micayla Medek graduated from Hinkley High School in Aurora and currently attended Community College of Aurora. She worked as a Subway Sandwich Artist and was “a great kid”. Known by her family and friends as Cayla, she had sustained injuries from the shooting and it took more than 20 hours before her family finally learned that she was one of the 12 victims taken by Holmes.
Micayla had stated on her facebook page: "I'm a simple independent girl who's just trying to get her life together while still having fun," she wrote.
RIP Micayla Medek. Our hearts go out to her family and friends.
Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class
John Thomas Larimer - Age: 27
John Larimer who was described as a “wonderful young man”, was a Navy sailor stationed at Buckley Air Force Base in Aurora, Colorado. He was a cryptologic technician which is a job that the Navy says on its website should be filled by someone with "exceptionally good character, above-average writing and speaking skills, a good memory, curiosity and resourcefulness." He grew up in Chicago and joined the service just over a year ago.
His commanding officer, Cmdr. Jeffrey Jakuboski said in a written statement: "A valued member of our Navy team, he will be missed by all who knew him. My heart goes out to John's family, friends and loved ones, as well as to all the victims of this horrible tragedy,”
His parents released a statement saying: "We respectfully ask that the family and friends of John be allowed time and privacy to grieve for John and we send our thoughts and prayers out to the families of the other victims and those still recovering in the hospital. We love you John and we will miss you always,"
RIP Petty Officer John T. Larimer. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
Alexander (AJ)Boik - Age: 18
AJ Boik was out on a date with his girlfriend, who everyone expected him to marry one day. She survived the attack. AJ had just graduated high school and was set to start at the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in the fall.
He was described as a friend, Jordan Crofter as someone who: "didn't hold anything back. He was just his own person." He played baseball most of his life and him and his girlfriend were described as the “perfect couple”.
AJ’s parents released a statement that said: "was a wonderful, handsome and loving 18-year-old young man with a warm and loving heart."
RIP AJ Boik. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
Jonathan T. Blunk - Age: 26
Jonathan T. Blunk, a certified firefighter and EMT served 3 tours in Persian Gulf and North Arabian Sea between 2004 and 2009. He had plans to re-enlist in the Navy and eventually become a Navy SEAL. He was on a date with his girlfriend of about 9 months, Jansen Young, who says: “He took a bullet for me.” When bullets started flying he shoved her under a seat and blocked incoming fire, saving her life.
His close friend James Gill said: "It was guts or glory for him," "It always surprised me that he didn't serve in a situation more on the front line. He wanted to be a first responder on the front line."
He left behind a 4 year old daughter and a 2 year old son who live in Nevada.
RIP Jonathan Blunk. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
Gordon W. Cowden - Age: 51
Gordon Cowden was a divorced father of 4 children. He was attending the movie with his two oldest teenagers who both escaped the theater unharmed. He owned his own business and worked from home as a real estate appraiser.
His family describes him as: "a true Texas gentleman that loved life and his family." "A quick witted world traveler with a keen sense of humor, he will be remembered for his devotion to his children and for always trying his best to do the right thing, no matter the obstacle,"
RIP Gordon Cowden. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
Rebecca Ann Wingo - Age: 32
Rebecca Wingo, described as having the “sweetest smile”, had recently started a new job while studying at the Community College of Aurora. She was the mother of two children.
In her last post on facebook Rebecca wrote: “My little baby started kindergarten today. She is so excited to be in the big girl school with her sister. Oh how the time flies."
Her father posted on her facebook page: "I lost my daughter yesterday to a mad man, my grief right now is inconsolable. I hear she died instantly, without pain, however the pain is unbearable, Lord why, why, why? I love you my daughter Rebecca, we all will miss you."
Co-worker Shannon Dominguez said: “she was friendly with everyone and always seemed to be in a good mood.”
RIP Rebecca Wingo. Our hearts go out to her family and friends.
Staff Sergeant
Jesse E. Childress - Age: 29
Jesse Childress was an Air Force Staff Sergeant from Palmdale, stationed at Buckley Air Force base in Aurora where he was on active duty as a cyber systems operator. He had gone to see the opening premier with some friends from work. Two of his friends got tickets to theater 8 and tried to convince him to sneak in with them but he declined to stay with his other friends in theater 9. When the shooting stated he dove in front of his friend, Munirin Gravelly to save her life. She escaped the tragedy with only minor wounds. Jesse was not so lucky. "I feel really sorry ... that he's gone," Gravelly said fighting tears, "that none of us were able to at least hold his hand and look him in the eye while he passed.” "I lost a friend."
He is described by neighbor and friend William Grier as: " a quiet, nice young guy. It’s really horrible for a nice person to die like that."
Sgt. Alejandro Sanchez said: "He was a fun-loving individual," "If you needed help, no matter the time of day he would stay late. He would come in early to help out the unit in any way he can, even if it meant long hours."
RIP Jesse Childress. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
Alexander C. Teves - Age: 24
Alexander Teves recently graduated in June with a Master degree in counseling psychology from the University of Denver. He had previously graduated in 2010 from the University of Arizona. He had went to see the movie with his girlfriend Amanda and a friend named Catlin. Caitlin posted this message on Twitter Saturday: "One of the best men I ever knew. The world isn't as good a place without him." His father Tom said Teves had died blocking a bullet for his girlfriend.
Mary Gomez, Ph.D., a Counseling Psychology professor at the University of Denver, and one of Alex's graduate advisors, said: "Alex will be remembered as an intelligent young man with a passion for living life to the fullest. Alex viewed life as an "adventure", whether he was participating in the Tough Mudder competition last summer with his friends, doing class projects and presentations with his peers, or interning at a school for special needs students. He was insightful and respectful to his peers and faculty. He was a compassionate and kind person with a great sense of humor who put a positive outlook on all situations. Most importantly, his top priority was his relationships. His loyalty is admirable and he always put his friends first. Alex will be truly missed."
RIP Alexander Teves. Our hearts go out to his family and friends.
Aurora Century 16 Movie theater
More Great Articles
Dark Knight Shooting in Aurora, Colorado
Author: Melissa Lahti
July 20, 2012
Update: 7-26-12: A HUGE thank you to United Airlines for covering the cost of flying many family members to Denver for funerals, to Health One for dismissing all the medical bills for victims, and also to Children's Hospital for giving free care to the victims. You are a blessing!
Update: 7-24-12: Christian Bale (Batman) heard the pleas of everyone and came to Aurora, Colorado today to pay a surprise visit to all the survivors and the memorial. See the pictures below.
Update: As of 7-23-12: Holmes has appeared in court this morning and they have set a date to file formal charges on Monday July 30th at 9:30am. Watch the video below.
Update: As of 7-22-12: 19 people are still in the hospital with 2 in critical condition. Holmes is scheduled to receive formal charges on Monday.
Update: The count for the number of people injured is now up to 71. Please stay tuned as we will be updating the page as we find out more.
Last night in Aurora, Colorado at the midnight showing of Batman: Dark Night Rises, James Holmes, a 24 year old PHD student opened fire in the crowded movie theater. At least 12 are confirmed dead and about 50 wounded. Holmes walked into the theater about 30 – 40 minutes after the movie started dressed in a flak jacket, groin armor and wearing a gas mask. He threw gas canisters on the floor releasing a gas to confuse people as he began shooting. He was carrying an AR 15 Assault Rifle, Remington 870 shotgun and Glock 40 Handgun. Among the wounded and killed there was a 3 month old baby and 6 year old child.
James recently moved to Colorado from San Diego to pursue a PhD in neuroscience at the University of Colorado medical center. He was currently in the process of withdrawing from the school for unknown reasons. He lived just blocks away at an apartment complex devoted exclusively for the University’s students, patients, and staff members. When Holmes was apprehended by police in the theater parking lot that night he surrendered without a fight and told police that his apartment was filled with bombs and was booby trapped. Police currently have evacuated the 5 surrounding apartment buildings and have a hazmat team on the scene trying to figure out how to get in and diffuse the bombs. They said there are enough bombs in the apartment to blow up a big part of the area.
The reason James Holmes did this is unclear at this time but many are saying it may be related to a villain in the film named Bane who also wears a gas mask and bullet proof vest. As a person who regularly goes to the movie theater, this makes me a little scared. Do you think they should start putting metal detectors in the theaters? In this case it would not have made a difference because Holmes entered the theater through an emergency exit.
Truth is, with over 7 billion people on the planet, we cannot know the heart and intention of anyone around us. Everyone has his or her own mind and we will never know what they are thinking on the inside. The only thing we can do is to stay sharp, know your surroundings, pay close attention to everyone around you, and keep yourself safe. Don’t stop living life just because something like this may or may not happen around you. We must continue to move on and move forward knowing that everything happens for a reason, even when we don’t know what that reason is.
I came across this story about a man named Caleb Medley. He and his wife, Katie, were expecting a baby on July 22nd and as a “last night out” they went to see The Dark Knight Rises. Katie and their baby Hugo made it out of the ciaos unharmed but sadly, Caleb was shot in the eye. As of today, instead of cuddling his brand new son, Caleb is laying in a medical induced coma fighting for his life. He has lost his right eye and has some brain damage.
Caleb and Katie were high school sweet hearts and got married soon after graduation. Caleb has been working at Wal-Mart while pursuing his lifelong dream of becoming a comedian. Katie has been in school to pursue her dream to work in veterinary medicine. This young couple has no medical insurance and really need all the help they can get. A website has been set up to collect donations for them. I know this is a hard time for everyone but every little bit helps.
