Crime & Safety

After 'Batman' Shooting, Show Goes On in Evanston

Theater and local law enforcement officials say they're not planning any additional security in Evanston after a man shot 12 people at a midnight showing of 'The Dark Knight Rises' in Colorado.

Less than 48 hours after a man killed 12 people during a midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, CO, officials say it’s still business as usual at Century 12 in Evanston.

A spokesperson for Cinemark Theater, owner of Century 12, told Patch that the company wasn’t planning to beef up security nationwide in the wake of the tragedy, but each theater could do so at its discretion.

However, “security is a top priority,” he said. 

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Evanston police spokesperson Perry Polinski also said that local law enforcement isn’t planning any increased security around the theater in Evanston, but noted that police typically send extra patrols to the area downtown on the weekends anyway.

Midnight showings in Evanston Friday and Saturdy were still scheduled to go on. 

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The theater where the shooting happened was also owned by Cinemark. Company officials issued a statement reacting to the events that occurred early Friday morning. 

“We are deeply saddened by today’s tragic incident,” the statement reads. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and loved ones, our employees and the Aurora community.” 

In Aurora, 12 people were killed and dozens more injured after a 24-year-old man opened fire at the midnight showing. Among those at the theater was , John T. Larimer. Scott Larimer, John's father, told the Chicago Sun Times that his family has frantically been attempting to contact their son, who they believe went to see the movie with friends, but had been unable to get in touch as of Saturday morning.

 

 


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