Victims, public officials react to theater shooting verdict
Jul 16, 2015, 7:42 PM
FILE - In this July 25, 2012 file photo, a picture of Gordon Cowden, who was killed in the 2012 Aurora movie theatre massacre, is surrounded by flowers at a makeshift memorial across from the movie theater, in Aurora, Colo. Cowden, 51, went to the movie with his two teenage daughters. "A quick-witted world traveler with a keen sense of humor, he will be remembered for his devotion to his children and for always trying his best to do the right thing, no matter the obstacle," his family said after his death. His children escaped the theater unharmed. One of his daughters, Brooke Cowden, testified that she had spent the day with her father, baking cookies and running with him as they sometimes did. While she was on the stand, prosecutors showed her a picture of her father and herself that he had taken during a hike. She recalled Cowden telling her he loved her just before he died. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File)
A Colorado jury on Thursday convicted 27-year-old James Holmes of killing 12 moviegoers and wounding dozens of others in a suburban Denver movie theater in 2012.
How some survivors and public officials reacted:
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“It’s unreal. Someone attempted to murder me, in a movie theater, when I was just doing nothing. … Finally, this is coming to a close.” — Jansen Young, who was wounded in the attack. She went to the theater that night with her boyfriend, Jonathan Blunk, who threw himself in front of Young to protect her. The 26-year-old father of two young children was killed.
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“I’ll never forget the silhouette of the shotgun.” — Survivor Marcus Weaver, who was sitting next to his friend Rebecca Wingo when she was killed. Weaver said he wept while watching a live stream of the judge reading the verdicts.
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“My body shuddered.” — Survivor Yousef Gharbi on learning of Holmes’ guilty verdict. Gharbi was shot in the head in the theater attack.
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“This has been an emotional and difficult time for the victims, their families, loved ones and friends. My hope is that this step brings some peace to each of them, and begins the healing process for all of Colorado.” — Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper.
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“We’re still here for you, and we will always be here for you.” — Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan to victims.
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“As soon as you hear the first guilty, you knew the dominoes were going fall.” — Tom Sullivan, father of Alex Sullivan, who was killed inside the theater.
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“I even felt a little sorry for him, about his past. It’s obvious he has mental issues, but nothing that approached insanity.” — Robert Sullivan, grandfather of Veronica Moser-Sullivan, 6, the youngest moviegoer slain in the theater. Robert Sullivan wore a button with a picture of Veronica on it.
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