Christopher Nolan Releases Statement On ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Shooting

“The Dark Knight Rises” director Christopher Nolan has released a statement regarding the shooting that occurred at a screening of “TDKR” in Aurora, Colorado. (The incident happened at a midnight screening last night in suburban Denver, where 24-year-old James Holmes set off tear gas and opened fire on the crowd, killing 12 audience members and wounding 59.)

After a day full of confusion, anger and sadness, Nolan expressed his condolences for the victims of the shooting, calling the act a “senseless tragedy.”

“Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community.

I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie. I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime.

The movie theatre is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me.

Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families.”

Since the shooting, movie theaters have been taking extra precautions, reportedly teaming up with the Department of Homeland Security to review safety measures at “Dark Knight Rises” screenings this weekend. In New York City, NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly has said that there will be a police presence at movie theaters throughout the city, “as a precaution against copycats and to raise the comfort levels among movie patrons in the wake of the horrendous shooting in Colorado.”

[via TMZ]

EARLIER: Hollywood reacts to shooting at Colorado movie theater