Flags fly at half mast as Americans mourn 12 people killed in a deadly shooting rampage at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, on Friday just after midnight.
In a statement, U.S. President Barack Obama vowed to bring the perpetrator to justice, and said he would take steps to ensure the safety of the American people.

The bloody massacre that claimed the lives of 12, also injured nearly 60 others, some of whom suffered minor shrapnel injuries and others, severe gunshot wounds.
Witnesses say when the shooting began, it almost seemed like a promotional event for the film, "The Dark Knight Rises."
Just past midnight, and shortly after the film began, a man wearing a gas mask and a bullet-proof vest walked into the theater, and then threw two cans of gas before firing at the audience.


[Interview : Chris Ramos, Witness] "He started shooting at everyone. He didn't care who it was. He was shooting for a minute and a half, two minutes, it felt like it was going on forever."

The suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes, was arrested outside the theater shortly after the incident. He will appear at a Colorado district court on Monday.


[Interview : Dan Oates, Aurora Police Chief] "We believe that as part of this assault, Mr. Holmes set off two devices to distract the crowd. They ignited in some form and released some sort of irritant with smoke."

Reports say that Holmes, a doctoral candidate at the University of Colorado-Denver, does not have a criminal record, and is not linked to any terrorist operations.
The authorities are not ruling out an act of insanity, as Holmes, whose hair was dyed red, had reportedly told police he was the Joker, the archvillain in the Batman series.
Meanwhile, controversy surrounding gun laws in the state of Colorado will likely resurface, as the suspect is known to have purchased his weapons legally, but failed to register them.
Choi You-sun, Arirang News.

Reporter : yschoi@arirang.co.kr