Tragedy in Aurora Colorado

The USS Tiburon a chapter of STARFLEET the International Star Trek Fan Association has multiple members in Aurora Colorado, several are less then a mile from the theater where the incident took place.  I am thankful that everyone so far from the group has reported in and everyone is doing ok.  No one was at the theater for the premiere however several had friends that were.  They are reported to be ok as well.

In the coming weeks there will continue to be endless conversations and coverage of the senseless incident that occurred around 12:30am local time at a premiere of The Dark Knight Rises.  News agencies and media outlets have already begun to converge on the area as well as nonstop commercial free coverage on local radio and television stations.  To those reports and commentators that have begun to speculate on the suspects motives, his background, his life that you should not use blanket statements to paint a picture that may hurt others.  This was not the act of a Batman fan or of a Trekkie or a Browncoat or any other group.  This was the act of one man who for some unknown reason put on what is reported to be full riot gear, including gas mask and kevlar vest, and entered a theater full of innocent people and opened fire.  That is NOT the act of a fan of any show or movie!

Here are the details as of the moment of this writing.  A lone gun man entered the sold out theater reported through an emergency exit. He used 1 to 2 gas or smoke grenades and then randomly opened fire with a variety of weapons that included a 12 gauge shotgun, an AR15 assault rifle and a 40 caliber Glock pistol.  Reports indicate that 10 were killed at the theater and 2 more since at local hospitals.  A total of 71 injuries have been reported from various hospitals across the Denver metro area.  Reports are that victims range in age from 3 months old (no injuries) to 71 years old.  They are from every walk of life and group.

As the coming days unfold we will learn more about the suspect, his motives and maybe a glimpse into why this all happened.  However none of that will heal the wounds that have been opened or stop the pain of those directly affected by this persons actions.  The USS Tiburon would like to express its deepest sympathies to everyone that was affected by the horrible and senseless crime, perpetrated by a lone individual. Our thoughts and concern turns to the children, families and fans who attended this morning’s event and we are saddened by how this will effect all of those involved for years to come, as they attempt to continue their lives.

We join many groups in calling to other fan groups like the Tiburon to find a way to support the victims and the community as we all attempt to deal with what has happened.  We need to remember that no matter what occurs that we are all here for each other and that we cannot allow fear to overcome us.