White Man Kills 12 in Tragic Colorado Terror Attack

From [HERE] and [MORE] The first images of James Holmes, the 24-year-old who allegedly opened fire on a theater full of people in Aurora, Colorado, are making their way to the public, as a biography begins to emerge of the man accused in one of the nation's deadliest recent massacres. We're still learning about Holmes' background, his life in Colorado, and his possible motives. He is a white man. Holmes grew up in San Diego, where he graduated from Westview High School in Rancho Penasquitos in 2006, according to San Diego 6 news, the local CW affiliate.

Law enforcement sources say Colorado shooting suspect James Holmes seems to be a classic lone wolf -- an accused mass killer with no apparent accomplices or known connections to radical groups. Prior to his arrest outside the Aurora movie theater where at least 12 people died early Friday, Holmes' only brush with Colorado police involved a single speeding ticket.

Holmes was completely under the radar. Yet, sources say, over the past few months he assembled a deadly arsenal: multiple guns, body armor, bottles of chemicals, and homemade explosive devices. 

Sources say four weapons found at the crime scene were all legally purchased between May 22 and July 6 at three Colorado gun stores: a Bass Pro Shop in Denver and Gander Mountain stores in Aurora and Thornton. Three of the guns were used in the deadly spree, police said. Both the .40 caliber Glock pistol and a Smith and Wesson semi-automatic assault rifle he used could be fitted with extended clips. A 12-gauge Remington shotgun was also used. A fourth gun, another .40 caliber Glock, was recovered in Holmes' car.

Evidence teams are still processing the crime scene. But with 71 victims hit by gunfire, law enforcement officials suspect the gunman fired at least 100 rounds.

Police say Holmes meticulously planned the assault. He apparently surveilled the theater and pre-staged his car and weapons near an access door. Outside that door police recovered some of the body armor, which the gunman wore during the assault.

Holmes has no criminal record and police have so far established no motive for the shootings. A search of social networking sites has turned up no significant clues.

Sources say Holmes was cooperative when first arrested, even warning police that his apartment was booby-trapped. But, so far he has offered no explanation whatsoever for the shootings.

Holmes is expected in court on Monday morning, and the documents in the case are sealed so far, the Aurora Sentinel reports via Twitter. Police arrested him with no struggle in a parking lot behind the theater, CNN reports. 

He also said police were "not looking for any other suspects" and were "confident [Holmes] acted alone."

Holmes had been a student at the University of Colorado, but withdrew last month, according to the university. He was getting a PhD in neuroscience. A "James Holmes" is listed as enrolled in a class at the university called  "Biological Basis of Psychiatric and Neurological Disorders."

Holmes also received a B.S. in neuroscience from the University of California Riverside in 2010, where he graduated with honors.

On an apartment rental application, Holmes described himself as "quiet" and "easy-going."

Civil Liability 

A potential target for civil lawsuits would be Century Theaters, where the shooting took place. It was reported that Holmes entered the theater through an emergency exit before throwing off gas canisters and using at least two guns in the shooting. One may wonder just how Holmes got in through the emergency exit and if the theater did enough to protect the crowds. That said, metal detectors and pat-downs aren't standard at most U.S. movie theaters.

While movie-going is usually not a dangerous activity, the Batman premiere was a midnight showing and Century Theaters likely should have expected large crowds. [MORE]