Aurora cinema where gunman shot 70 people to reopen
AURORA, CO – JULY 23: Crime scene tape surrounds the Century 16 movie theater where 12 people were killed in a shooting rampage last Friday, on July 23, 2012 in Aurora, Colorado. Suspect James Holmes, 24, allegedly went on a shooting spree and killed 12 people and injured 58 during an early morning screening of ‘The Dark Knight Rises.’ (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
Two months after a mass shooting at a theater complex in Aurora, Colorado, it was announced that the theater complex is being renovated and could reopen by the New Year.
ABC News reported the Century 16 movie theater has been shut down since July 20, when a gunman opened fire during a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises.”
Twelve people were killed and 58 wounded when James Holmes, 24, allegedly opened fire during a special midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises."
The decision to reopen the theater follows community consultation through an online survey by the City of Aurora and discussions with Cinemark who owns the complex, Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan told media.
“We believe that we are hearing, and indeed have heard for some time, a collective wish and desire for the theater to re-open,” Hogan said.
He said that he had consulted with victims, victims advocates and community members.
Hogan asked the owners to consider special provisions, including victim and survivor visitation, memorials and a possible change to the exterior appearance of the building.
The Denver Post quoted Tim Warner, CEO of Cinemark, saying: “We pledge to reconfigure the space and make the theater better than ever,” he said.
“We hope the theater will be ready by the beginning of the New Year.”
Meanwhile, three people wounded in the shooting, Denise Traynom, Brandon Axelrod and Joshua Nowlan, have filed lawsuits against Cinemark, alleging the exit door the gunman used to enter the building should have had an alarm, the Huffington Post reports.
Prosecutors allege Holmes left the theater through a back exit, propped open the exit door and re-entered the theater to begin the shooting.
The lawsuits also claim Cinemark was negligent in failing to hire extra security for the midnight showing or generally protect patrons who were sitting in a darkened theater.