Colorado Movie Theater Shooting And Your Reactions
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: July 20, 2012
It's being reported as the largest mass shooting in U.S. history. The nation is in shock and investigators are still piecing together what provoked a horrific attack on movie-goers that left 12 people dead and dozens injured.
Off The Top tonight, Rachel Polansky was at an area midnight premiere last night and she joins us live in the newsroom with the latest developments and your reactions to the tragic events.
I was at the Marquee Cinema in New Hartford for the Batman midnight premiere last night. It was a fun and happy atmosphere with tons of smiling fans. No one could have predicted the tragic events that would soon unfold in a Colorado movie theatre.
Movie-goers from the Marquee Midnight Premiere:
"My kids, there friends, we're all so excited for the premiere," says Lisa MacIsaac, a mother taking her whole family to the Batman premiere.
"Because I'm a passionate batman fan," says Nabil Kahn, the first person in line to see the Batman premiere.
"It's a lot like a party because everyone is enjoying the same movie at the same time," says Steven Handzel, a happy movie-goer.
"Just making those memories, because your kids grow up so fast," says MacIsaac.
Those were fans from last night's midnight premiere. Hundreds of excited and happy movie-goers lined up for the big debut but tonight, here, as well as around the country, the moods have changed.
"Now I'm gonna think about going to a movie theatre, and it makes you think twice about going to big public areas where there's lots of crowds," says Connie Desantis, mother and Marcy resident.
"I took my daughters to the midnight showing of Twilight. And I'm not sure if I'll do that again - I'm not sure if we'll attend another midnight showing. It makes me think twice now to bring them because of what happened and the unfortunate situation," says Deanna Scialdone, mother and Marcy resident.
During a midnight showing of the latest Batman movie in Aurora Colorado, a man shot and killed 12 people, and wounded 59 more, drawing national attention and prompting local discussion of gun safety.
"In order to possess a firearm, you certainly need to be educated in it's use and be well aware and practice extreme safety when using a firearm," says Robert Maciol, Oneida County Sheriff.
Some are calling for tougher gun control. But a Rome firearms instructor says this is not the case.
"I think gun control in New York state is strict enough right now. Guns aren't gonna kill people, it's the people that are outside of their minds that go out and do crazy acts like they did in Colorado," says Mark Liddy, Rome Police Lieutenant and Firearms Instructor.
In fact, he thinks possessing a gun can sometimes be essential.
"The actual citizen who is allowed to carry a weapon, and basically wake him up or wake her up, that maybe they should carry the weapon more often - I mean in certain circumstances like that, if there was an officer that was in that movie theatre, maybe they could have prevented a lot of what happened," says Liddy.
We'd like to hear your thoughts about the tragic events. Please visit our Facebook page: CNYHomepage and share your thoughts.
Eyewitness News spoke with the Marquee Cinema in New Hartford and they say they will be heightening security for the remainder of the weekend. Live in the newsroom, Rachel Polansky, Eyewitness News.
Off The Top tonight, Rachel Polansky was at an area midnight premiere last night and she joins us live in the newsroom with the latest developments and your reactions to the tragic events.
I was at the Marquee Cinema in New Hartford for the Batman midnight premiere last night. It was a fun and happy atmosphere with tons of smiling fans. No one could have predicted the tragic events that would soon unfold in a Colorado movie theatre.
Movie-goers from the Marquee Midnight Premiere:
"My kids, there friends, we're all so excited for the premiere," says Lisa MacIsaac, a mother taking her whole family to the Batman premiere.
"Because I'm a passionate batman fan," says Nabil Kahn, the first person in line to see the Batman premiere.
"It's a lot like a party because everyone is enjoying the same movie at the same time," says Steven Handzel, a happy movie-goer.
"Just making those memories, because your kids grow up so fast," says MacIsaac.
Those were fans from last night's midnight premiere. Hundreds of excited and happy movie-goers lined up for the big debut but tonight, here, as well as around the country, the moods have changed.
"Now I'm gonna think about going to a movie theatre, and it makes you think twice about going to big public areas where there's lots of crowds," says Connie Desantis, mother and Marcy resident.
"I took my daughters to the midnight showing of Twilight. And I'm not sure if I'll do that again - I'm not sure if we'll attend another midnight showing. It makes me think twice now to bring them because of what happened and the unfortunate situation," says Deanna Scialdone, mother and Marcy resident.
During a midnight showing of the latest Batman movie in Aurora Colorado, a man shot and killed 12 people, and wounded 59 more, drawing national attention and prompting local discussion of gun safety.
"In order to possess a firearm, you certainly need to be educated in it's use and be well aware and practice extreme safety when using a firearm," says Robert Maciol, Oneida County Sheriff.
Some are calling for tougher gun control. But a Rome firearms instructor says this is not the case.
"I think gun control in New York state is strict enough right now. Guns aren't gonna kill people, it's the people that are outside of their minds that go out and do crazy acts like they did in Colorado," says Mark Liddy, Rome Police Lieutenant and Firearms Instructor.
In fact, he thinks possessing a gun can sometimes be essential.
"The actual citizen who is allowed to carry a weapon, and basically wake him up or wake her up, that maybe they should carry the weapon more often - I mean in certain circumstances like that, if there was an officer that was in that movie theatre, maybe they could have prevented a lot of what happened," says Liddy.
We'd like to hear your thoughts about the tragic events. Please visit our Facebook page: CNYHomepage and share your thoughts.
Eyewitness News spoke with the Marquee Cinema in New Hartford and they say they will be heightening security for the remainder of the weekend. Live in the newsroom, Rachel Polansky, Eyewitness News.
