Unfortunately, I think, they're legally obligated to say that (or something else like "alleged" or "suspected") until he is convicted in a court of law.

I'm not 100% on that though.

Maybe THEY are legally obligated to say that. I am not. The guy is a scumbag.

"Maybe THEY are legally obligated to say that. I am not. The guy is a scumbag."

I'm not convinced that he was. I think this is a greater tragedy in that he is most likely severely mentally ill.

It's a shame that this happened and as a father of a 6 yr old and 4 yr old I can only imagine what that family is going through with such a senseless act.

I think it's more important to focus less on vengeance and more on healing. We also need to understand more about what was going on in that guys head and if he was truly sick.

If he was, we then also need to understand how to better identify folks that may do something like this in the future.

My condolences to the family.

Sick or not, fry the bastard.

Death Sentence.. I don't care if God himself told him to do this... give him the Death Sentence and carry it out promptly. Stop coddling the criminals!

May I please have 10 minutes with JAMES !!! PLEASE !!! PROBLEM SOLVED :) :) :)

I agree as soon as sentence is imposed take him from the courthouse to the chamber. Give him as much time to appeal for his life as he gave those people in the theater

Lots of people are mentally ill. That doesn't mean they up and murder innocent people in cold blood. NOT an excuse.

If he is a danger to society (and I think this mass murder says yes) I dont care if he is 100% crazy and cant control himself. Fry the bastard.

Not to blame mom, but what is a 6 year old doing at a midnight movie that is so dark in its content?

Oh please. Does it matter????

Olivia, save the holier than thou attitude for another time.

alleged my f assssssss ....he is a scumbag and i hope he goes straight to hell

Well, according to Olivia, it's not normal for a 6 year old to enjoy Batman movies and have a special night out with her mom a little bit later than usual even though it's summer break. She's probably 90 years old and has very resentful children.

You're a daft fool. No 6 year old THAT I KNOW OF is going to enjoy a dark, depressing movie about Batman. Summer break or not, the kid should not have been out at that time. But judging from your posts and your apparent age, you know little to nothing about parenting. Liberals. Oh and it seems many agree with me.

perhaps she is well enough to attend the funeral now? i dunno just a thought.

Yes, it is because the therapists have given her approval to be strong enough for it - well at least physically. No one could be mentally strong for burying a child!

Especially after already losing one (miscarriage). How horrible.

.

My heart breaks for this mom who has just lost both her children and she is paralyzed - all by the hands of one VERY sick creepy person. I pray you find the strength within to cope and fight for your own life and well being. So many people support you and surround you with goodness and thoughts.

rest in peace little one. !

If I recall correctly, it was during summer vacation and was probably supposed to be a special treat for her to attend the movie with her mom. Such a tragedy.

Yes, it was during summer vacation and a special treat for her before her little sibling arrived. RIP little one!

Seriously. It was summer vacation. No school to wake up to, and was supposed to be a special occasion and a fun time for a mother and daughter. If you never stayed up that late in your younger years, or had a parent who would be willing to do that with you, then I just feel sorry for you all. Marlene, for you to say that the mother had her head up her ass, comes to show how far up yours your head happens to be.

Just like you have your head up yours. Crawl back into the sewer you came from.

At most, she would have had a bad nightmare from the movie. Unfortunately, she was struck dead by a lunatic's bullet, not the mother's choice to take her daughter to the movie.

Seriously. It was summer vacation. No school to wake up to, and was supposed to be a special occasion and a fun time for a mother and daughter. If you never stayed up that late in your younger years, or had a parent who would be willing to do that with you, then I just feel sorry for you all. Marlene, for you to say that the mother had her head up her ass, comes to show how far up yours your head happens to be.

Summer vacation or no, this movie was an R-rated movie. From the MPAA.org:

"Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the motion picture before taking their younger children with them. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures."

R rating is also one step below the NC-17 rating, which lists, "Patently adult. Children are not permitted."

Batman: The Dark Knight Rises also contains very dark, violent, and adult material that is not appropriate for children, much less a 6-year-old-girl.

Special occasion or not - if it's inappropriate, it's inappropriate. It's obvious that a 6-year-old girl had no place being as such a dark and violent movie.

My own parents forbade me from watching R-rated movies at all until I was 15, and I feel it was entirely appropriate of them to forbid them.

If it were my own child, she would have never seen Dark Knight Rises to begin with - until she reached an appropriate age, that is.

RIP Veronica Sullivan.

If there is a reason to brow beat the mother, it's somewhat lost.

The movie was PG-13. Not R. Aleitheia, If you have children, I would hate to be one of them. Just because your parents were overly strict and you're still bitter about it, doesn't mean you have to place blame on someone who was just trying to have a nice night out with her daughter.

I agree with Marlene. While this is indeed tragic, a 6 year old has NO business being a a movie theater that late at night. And in my opinion, that movie is not suitable for such a young kid. School or no school my kids are at home in bed at that time of night. Yes, it was horrible, yes the shooter is guilty BUT I can't ignore that if this woman had been being a responsible mom and at HOME with her kids at such an hour, they would all be safe and alive today. If you are going to be so juvenile as to go see a movie in the middle of the night, at least make sure your kids are safe and don't drag them out to such nonsense.

Or, if the movie would have had a NC-Red Haired Nut Job w/ Gun Rating, all would be safe.

As someone who's suffered periodically from depression I only wanted to harm myself - never anyone else. The only reason I'm here is because I took pills rather than jump from a building and possibly harm someone else. Fortunately the vast majority of those suffering from mental disorders are like myself. But we need to draw the line and make people accountable for their own actions whether they're mentally ill or not. Taking your own life is bad enough because of the pain you leave in your wake.

He is accountable. I love my dog but if killed someone without cause, I'd have him put down.

Prayers for all the victims including the shooter's family. He's made a victim of them too.

Also, some theaters are also now banning children from viewing R-rated movies as well:

Children No Longer Allowed Into "R" Rated Movies At Some Local Theatres

March 3, 2012 12:57 PM

CHICAGO (WBBM) – It's an unprecedented move in the Chicago area. Starting Saturday, the Classic Cinema chain will no longer allow children under age six into "R" rated movies. This includes theatres in 13 locations and 100 screens.

"Our reaction from the public has been about 98 percent positive," said Classic Cinemas' marketing manager Mark Mazrimas.

An email went out to all subscribers of the family-owned, independent Classic Cinemas, which stated they would be changing their "R" rated policy, excluding all children under age six. In addition, children ages six to eleven will be subject to pay full price, adult fares.

The decision came about following the holidays when Classic Cinemas were showing "The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo," and parents had brought their small children to the theatre.

Mazrimas said Classic Cinemas wants to give movie-goers a distraction-free environment and young children tend to get bored with R rated films and can act-out.

"R" rated films are limited to those aged 17 and up, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Other cities for Classic Cinemas include Downers Grove, Oak Park, Elmhurst, Naperville, St. Charles, Kankakee, North Riverside, Woodstock, Carpentersville, Elk Grove Village, Freeport, and Fox Lake.

AzDrummer89, you have some serious problems if you feel the need to flame others and attack personally. Why must you feel the need to insult people who don't agree with your opinion?

The point of the matter is that the movie still had very dark and violent themes inappropriate for a girl of Veronica Sullivan's age.

I also agree with Sophie-3659751.

Some of my FAVORITE memories with my mother were those nights up way past my bedtime. The one that sticks out the most is when we were to the torchlight parade (as in, sun down time, the horrors!) that lasted until nearly midnight. Then, we have to travel HOME! OMG!!! What an unfit mother I had! <eyeroll> Don't get me started on the scary movie part... you'd call for her head!

What some idiots cannot stop themselves from doing us blame the victims. It could have happened in the daylight hours when all the bad guys are SUPPOSED to be hiding in caves and such. The point is- it is NOT the fault of the victims, only the person who chose to start killing INNOCENT people.

Just keep in mind that picking such a stupid and trivial reason to judge someone.. invites some negative karma your way. Might watch out for that.

Thank you keepitcool. Those of us who had parents who were loving and let us do fun things like that from time to time actually understand. Aleitheia, Marlene and Sophie clearly have nothing better to do than blame the victims, The ones who were hurt so badly by this horrible massacre. Seems like they had strict parents who didn't do anything fun like that with them. So honestly, I feel sorry for those bitter hags. But honestly, how dare you try to blame someone who was so badly injured herself and lost not one child, but two. Go troll elsewhere.

Aleitheia,

AzDrummer89 didnt need to flame you. You showed yourself to be a moron when you said it was rated R then went into your tirade about rated R movies.

I watched hundreds of rated R movies (something, again, this movie was not) when I was her age with my father, and they never freaked me out. No one cares if you think its unappropriate. Im sorry if you're parents were that over protective of your fagile self. But the truth of the matter is it makes no difference what movie was showing. I dont care if she took her daughter to see a showing of Show Girls (NC-17). The killer could have chosen to kill everyone watching Ice Age 3. He was a crazy guy who wanted to kill people, and its not this mother's fault that she lost so much in her life.

Finally some intelligent life in this forum!!

KeepItCool and MrBurns, thanks for your comments. Honestly.

Try to find any 6 year old who doesn't like Batman. I dare you. I double dare you!

I agree with you too AzDrummer, Mr. Burns and Keep it Cool. I had great parents that did the same thing as a special treat. I did so with my kids as well and THOSE are the fun things kids remember growing up. For the folks judging parents for taking their children out too late or to terrible movies.... I feel sorry for you...and your kids! Live a little! As it was said, this horrible tragedy could have happened ANY time of day with the nut case who did it. Lighten up or get off the posts. Negativity is NOT needed here! Positive thoughts and strength to the mom and all the others who endured the pain of losing their loved ones.

Mmis, I'm sure your children adore you :-)

Well AzDrummer, you certainly aren't one of the intelligent ones. Sure, let little ones stay up late from time to time. But to take them to a dark movie, late at night is bad parenting. Now this mother has lost 2 children and is a quadriplegic. Not her fault a nutso shot them, but if she'd been home taking care of her child, they would all still be here.

And I am not some lame hag. But you best believe my 6 year old niece would NEVER be out at that hour pending an emergency and certainly not to see some dark movie. Go slag off.

You are quick to judge BoThome! What about mall shooters.... broad day light. Are you going to say something about that too? NO ONE suspected ANYTHING like this would EVER happen. Get this.... SUMMER VACATION..... NO ONE but the crazy redhead shooter is to blame here....NO ONE! I'm amazed at the judgemental morons on this board. Show some compassion for the victims and their families. What's the matter with you!??

Olivia, my same comment to you as to BoThome. You sound like a very boring person who lives in a bubble of fear and insecurity. Look at the shooter killing people gasing their cars in DC, or the snipers in broad daylight randomly shooting people...... are you going to say...."well....my 6 year old would NEVER get out of the car to help gas up the car, etc.

Stop being so self righteous and get a life! I feel sorry for you and your lack of compassion for the victims. good god....

You don't know me but liberal parenting is BAD PARENTING. Shootings can happen anytime and anywhere. The CHILD SHOULN'T HAVE BEEN OUT THAT LATE AT A DARK MOVIE that would probably give them nightmares.

I sound boring because I would be a real parent instead of my kid's best friend? I sound lame because I would parent my child the way I was parented and I grew up just fine. I am not afraid of the world. I go out with my husband to see movies, I travel the world. WAKE UP! A parent is supposed to be a loving authority figure, not your buddy.

Parents can be good parents, but also be your friend at the same time. You don't have to completely seperate being a parent from being a friend of your child all the time.

Yeah, you got some real brilliant people here... "it was DARK out". "If she had stayed home none of this would have happened." "Not her fault, but.. it's her fault." blah, blah, blah

You really just have to stop arguing with some people, you'll go mad trying to reason with the unreasonable.

Once again I agree Az and keep it cool..... I feel my temperature rising just reading some of these posts..... so not worth it. I'm going to run to my car now before it gets dark. ;)

Ending statement is that my thoughts are with the families.

Lol who is saying the movie was R rated???? What an idiot. It was PG 13. If Batman movies were R rated they would lose 65% of their audience.

Some people give me a headache :l .... the fact is that a child can take up habits (unconsciously) from the enviroment they put themselves into, whether it be friends, music, games, and even "movies"... why do u thing most children bully other children these days? maybe because of the fact that their parents allowed them to take place in a violent enviroment? I'd know these things because ive been taking Child Development courses. :)

YOU GUYS ARE MISSING THE POINT OF THIS STORY!!!!! This child DIED because of a psycho killer! No matter the time or place. Only idiots would say "she has to be in bed at this time or that" Those are your own personal opinions/family issues that have NO PLACE here.

Olivia, you obiviously didnt turn out fine if you want to blame the mother for her children's deaths. My parents were very liberal parents (funnily enough, they both vote republican), and me and my 2 siblings are all very successful. Different parents have different parenting styles. But even if this mother was a horrible mother, the point is, its not her fault the kids got killed. Columbine happened at a school, a little girl was shot when a congress woman was giving a speech, a man opened fire at a mall in broad daylight, and just this past week 2 men killed 3 women each at 2 different hair salons in the country. Random acts of mass violence happens in broad daylight more often than at night. You can never predict when someone is just going to snap. Like I said before, he could have chosen Ice Age 3 as the movie to target. Dont blame the mom, blame the scumbag.

And Namtab93, kids have bullied other kids for decades. It has nothing to do with music or movies. Please dont miss any classes as you need to catch up to the general public who already knows this.

Mkay.... I would recommend an English course as well.

Those that would allow their children to see a relentlessly dark and violent movie, whatever time of the day, at such a young age are probably the same ones that would leave their child in the car with it running while they run into the convenience store for "just a minute".

And I don't feel sorry for the numbskulls who forget their kids are in the car and let them roast all day. They deserve to rot in prison for the horrid death they brought upon their children.

As for the shooter, it WAS all his fault. But no child, newborn, etc should have been at the midnight showing of a violent film. End of story.

Just from observation on this arguement, I find it hard to understand how a person can judge the mother in a time like this. I guess some people are just REALLY really arrogant and LOVE looking down on others. It's extremely stupid and silly to put the blame on anyone here but the shooter.

A MESSAGE TO:
Marlene, Aleitheia, Sophia, BoThorne, Olivia,
AND ANY OTHER PARENT WHO HAS A MISPLACED SENSE OF SELF-RIGHTEOUSNESS

I'm not here to argue. I'm here to rebuke.

It's easy, in times like these, for people like you to take upon themselves a sense of pride; that somehow, their child isn't dead because of the choice they've made... such as not bringing their child to a pg-13 movie.

This pride has reared its ugly, ugly head in you. It is despicable and disgusting to think you are judging the mother in a time like this.

If this had happened at a mall, or a school, I'm sure there would still be people like you; taking upon themselves this sense of pride and judging the parents for not taking better precautions...

All I have to say is that I am thoroughly disgusted by you and I hope you turn from your ignorance and arrogance.

I do blame the shooter. He is very mentally ill and should be locked up in an asylum for the criminally insane for the rest of his pathetic life. He gave warning after warning and was ignored. Are those profs and others that ignored his warnings to blame? This world has evil walking among the good. We do the best we can to protect those that cannot protect themselves.

That being said, even IF THERE WAS NO SHOOTING THAT NIGHT, I would say the same thing. No six year old, no four month old, etc should be at such a dark and violent movie. My niece, a fellow six year old, had to leave THE SMURFS movie because it was a bit more violent than she or my sister expected and it upset my niece. And she is one tough kid. And NO. It wasn't midnight. That would be BAD PARENTING. If you can't afford a sitter, STAY HOME. You're a parent now. You don't have the freedom you used to.

Most of GEN X and Y folks having kids now are idiots who think their lives should stay the same despite being parents, selfishly neglecting their children in pursuit of their own pleasure, as they did before parenthood. Some people just shouldn't be parents. Plain and simple. It WAS the shooter's fault. But even if he had not been there, the parents who brought their young children were being selfish dolts.

You hear about kids being carjacked while mommy left them in the car to run into a store "for a minute". One woman's kid was dragged to death cause she was one of the fools who did this and she WAS SHOCKED BY THE HATE MAIL SHE GOT. Duh. Get thy tubes tied! Barely toddlers are run over frequently in parking lots because parents aren't watching them, or they drown while unsupervised. When your children get older, then you can slowly allow them freedoms that go along with their age. But a six year old has no business being out at midnight at a violent movie. WTF is wrong with you people?

And by the way I AM PART OF GENERATION X. Not some old crone shaking her finger at the younger generation. For every horrid parent, there are many good ones and I commend them.

6 year old had to leave The Smurfs? LOL.. Obviously with the way your family raises children, sheltered in fear, no wonder they're going to turn out to be complete wusses.

You are an ass. You don't know my niece. She is a tough, stubborn child who is physically strong and emotionally sensitive. There is nothing wrong with being sensitive you ass. I will reiterate, no child should be exposed to a movie as violent as BATMAN BEGINS. What are you going to show your child at six, if the world is unfortunate enough to have you procreate? PULP FICTION? Please get sterilized NOW. Oh, and FYI, my favorite movie is NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN, a very violent movie that deserved every award it got. But I would never show it to a child.

You know what? I don't agree with taking children to violent films. But I am a human being and I really had no right to cast judgment on those who lost loved ones and were injured. The only person to blame is the shooter. I apologize for my self-righteous attitude. Sorry.

His death, suffered in the most horrible way imaginable. Dont be easy on the vermin that do these murders.

I was going to say the same thing. Just mail the memory card. Keep the cash, the jewels, the camera even. Just please make it so they can have their last memories of her. You're absolutely evil if you dont.

When I got to that part, I couldn't help but wonder if whomever broke in to their home only did so because they thought there would be a lot of money/things laying about from the victim's fund. There are so many evil people out there, I wouldn't be surprised to hear that there are people out there targeting them for that perceived "windfall"... which is really to help the victims with things like- rehab facility costs.

You really have to make this political? Seriously? I heard the day after the murders that this woman lost her baby - it was one of the first things I heard.

Events like this are suppose to make us remember what binds us together, not to inject politics to pull people further apart.

(Shh... Don't tell anyone - I certainly don't want to damage your fragile worldview - but I've actually seen quite a few mentions of that in the media. Though personally I see a pretty big difference between a mother voluntarily choosing to abort and a miscarriage that's the result of a murderer shooting her. And you'd have to be kind of intellectually bankrupt to not see the difference, and why people would react differently to the two different situations.)

GBaum, why don't you leave your stupid political comments out of this? Abortion has nothing to do with a woman tragically losing her unborn child. Sorry you can't see the difference. Don't deter people from what happened here, a mother lost her only two children and I can't imagine what she's going through.

@Jason, You have to be intellectually dishonest to see the difference. The result is the SAME weather you like it or not.

I am from Aurora. I can't tell you how many times I have been in that theater and how this tragedy has affected the whole community. Why people feel the need to mention anything political on a forum that is about the loss of a six year old is beyond me.

@GBaum-5183510 - your so called "liberal" media mentioned the loss of this unborn child umpteen times. In Colorado, it was a front page story for several days. If you want to bait people with your political talk, go to another forum. You've probably heard it's an election year...I'm sure you can find a more relevant article on which to opine.

RIP Veronica and all the other victims.

Either way she lost the kid. Hell, for all we know she is completely against abortion. But it doesnt matter, she lost everything. Im pro-life, and even I think this topic has no place here.

It's ironic, Robert, that you would attack Jason's intellect...

This has absolutely NOTHING to do with abortion. Some people are just so unhinged!

That still won't be justice. 12 people are dead, several others will be permanently handicapped, and the rest are facing serious psychological trauma - killing the perpetrator won't make up for that in any way, shape, or form.

Really Jason Fischer? I think that if someone murdered my child, or my husband or anyone I loved then their death would go a long way in making me feel better.

People please - get your head out of your asses. Of course we should know why! If the experts have an inkling of a reason, then maybe, just maybe, they can stop the next sicko before he/she walks into a movie theatre with a gun.

I'm all for the death penalty, and this person certainly deserves it more than most, but I'm not naive enough to believe that someone murdered my loved one that their death would go a long way to make me feel better. Not going to happen.

@Jason #14.1: (David N.'s wife here.) You are correct in saying 'killing the perp won't make up for that in any way, shape or form' but the penalty of death will send a message to those who may be planning to do the same as this crazed killer did.

^^^ It is a memorial video

I'm sorry thats not the plain hard truth whatsoever. A pregnant mother going to see a movie with her child somehow puts the blame on her?

If this shooting were to happen at a mall or a school, would you blame the parents for bringing their kids there? Judging a parent because she brings her child to a movie is extremely arrogant. You really like to look down on other's don't you?

Jim, be quiet. This was commented on at the time it happened over and over again. None of your business. Live you own life, do what you want, leave everyone else alone.

Mr.SeriouslySerious. Good post.

As I posted before:

This movie was an R-rated movie. From the MPAA.org:

"Contains some adult material. Parents are urged to learn more about the motion picture before taking their younger children with them. Generally, it is not appropriate for parents to bring their young children with them to R-rated motion pictures."

R rating is also one step below the NC-17 rating, which lists, "Patently adult. Children are not permitted."

Batman: The Dark Knight Rises also contains very dark, violent, and adult material that is not appropriate for children, much less a 6-year-old-girl.

Special occasion or not - if it's inappropriate, it's inappropriate. It's obvious that a 6-year-old girl had no place being as such a dark and violent movie.

My own parents forbade me from watching R-rated movies at all until I was 15, and I feel it was entirely appropriate of them to forbid them.

If it were my own child, she would have never seen Dark Knight Rises to begin with - until she reached an appropriate age, that is.

RIP Veronica Sullivan.

Also, some theaters are also now banning children from viewing R-rated movies as well:

Children No Longer Allowed Into “R” Rated Movies At Some Local Theatres

March 3, 2012 12:57 PM

CHICAGO (WBBM) – It’s an unprecedented move in the Chicago area. Starting Saturday, the Classic Cinema chain will no longer allow children under age six into “R” rated movies. This includes theatres in 13 locations and 100 screens.

“Our reaction from the public has been about 98 percent positive,” said Classic Cinemas’ marketing manager Mark Mazrimas.

An email went out to all subscribers of the family-owned, independent Classic Cinemas, which stated they would be changing their “R” rated policy, excluding all children under age six. In addition, children ages six to eleven will be subject to pay full price, adult fares.

The decision came about following the holidays when Classic Cinemas were showing “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” and parents had brought their small children to the theatre.

Mazrimas said Classic Cinemas wants to give movie-goers a distraction-free environment and young children tend to get bored with R rated films and can act-out.

“R” rated films are limited to those aged 17 and up, unless they are accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Other cities for Classic Cinemas include Downers Grove, Oak Park, Elmhurst, Naperville, St. Charles, Kankakee, North Riverside, Woodstock, Carpentersville, Elk Grove Village, Freeport, and Fox Lake.

And its been pointed out to you numerous times that the movie is not rated R, its PG-13. I watched many R rated films at her age, went to metal concerts at 12, played M rated games since I could remember, and it never caused me to be fearful or more violent. Stop judging people who had lives that werent kept in a plastic bubble like yours.

Mr burns couldn't speak more of the truth. Aleitheia you do realise that the words you are typing are worse than the defecation you excrete?

She has no taste, and she is a complete waste of time. She is all about shock value, since its the only value she has.

What a silly statement. Can you leave politics out of this?

If one of the men in the theater had a handgun, he could have fired back on James Holmes and all the victims could be alive right now.

occam...you do realize mexico has strict gun laws right? Doesn't stop the killing down there.

It's very easy to blame all the wrong people..because it's was the law makers that is to blame for not being able to protect or save some of these victims , the reason why is because they made it illegal for a CCP holder to bring there weapon into a place that charges admisson and is the number one reason why these victims had no help in stopping this wacko.

So you can scream all the gun control hate you want but that is the truth about how dumb azz our law makers are and maybe why this guy picked that movie theater to do his deed as he knew no one would stop him and the same can be said for terrorism as they also know where our dumb azz laws make it illegal to carry your weapon.

Its called a trial. Yes, we all know he is guilty, but we still have law in this country. Lets follow it, shall we. Besides, the family probably wants answers.