New York City's police commissioner says the gunman in the Colorado movie theatre rampage had painted his hair red and called himself the Joker - the villain from the Batman movies.
The suspected gunman, identified as James Holmes, a 24-year-old doctoral student in neuroscience who was about to drop out of the University of Colorado-Denver, was arrested near a car behind the theatre.
Authorities gave no motive for the attack. The FBI said there was no indication of ties to any terrorist groups.
Coming up: First pics: Shootout at Batman screening in Denver
First pics: Shootout at Batman screening in Denver
A gunman opened fire in a crowded movie theatre in the Denver suburbs early on Friday morning, killing at least 14 people and wounding dozens of others, the police told reporters in an early morning news conference.
First pics: Shootout at Batman screening in Denver
A 24-year-old male, suspected to be the gunman, has been picked up by the police. A gun, rifle and bulletproof vest have been found near a car with a Tennessee license plate.
First pics: Shootout at Batman screening in Denver
The gunman started shooting at the exact moment that Batman, played by Christian Bale, appeared on screen. Witnesses say they thought the noise was some sort of live special effects at first.
First pics: Shootout at Batman screening in Denver
The suspect spoke of “possible explosives at his residence,” said police chief Dan Oates. The parking lot and theatre are being checked for explosives as well.
First pics: Shootout at Batman screening in Denver
Chaos spread quickly through the multiple packed theatres as the gunman, wearing a gas mask, stood in the front of one theatre at around 12:30 a.m. local time and began firing at the crowd.