The Aurora Shooting Theater Reopens For Private Memorial Screening

The Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, reopened on Thursday and screened The Hobbit for victims and the families of victims of the grisly shooting that happened there in July.

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Ryan Broderick

1. Cinemark announced that it would be reopening The Century theater earlier this month, inviting Aurora shooting survivors and the friends and family of victims to participate in a free screening.

Image by Marc Piscotty / Getty Images
Image by The Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool / AP

3. The screening invitation angered many, however. A formal protest letter was sent to Cinemark, calling the screening disgusting and appalling.

Source: jtes
Image by Pool / Reuters

6. Tom Sullivan, the father of slain “Dark Knight Rises” moviegoer Alex Sullivan, wrote an editorial in response to the letter, in which he said the theater reopening is the first step in rebuilding the community and that he would be attending.

Source: jtes

7. Sullivan did come to the memorial screening, wearing a shirt with the emblem of the superhero Nightwing, a former sidekick of Batman’s.

Image by Pool / Reuters
Image by Rick Wilking / Reuters

10. Jansen Young (left) was in Theater 9 during the shooting. That night she was saved by her military boyfriend Jonathan Blunk, who was slain during the attack. She attended Thursday’s screening with her aunt, Sherrie Hawley (right).

Image by Pool / Reuters
Image by Pool / Reuters

12. Aurora Police Officer Mike Hawkins, pictured below, was a first responder on the night of the shooting.

Image by The Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool / AP

13. Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper bows his head during the prayer at the reopening.

Image by Pool / Reuters

14. Tom Sullivan watches the program.

Image by The Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool / AP

15. Pierce O’Farrill was shot three times by Holmes, once in the arm, and twice in his left leg. He told The Denver Post in July that he forgives James Holmes and hopes to speak with him one day.

Image by Pool / Reuters
Image by Rick Wilking / Reuters
Image by Rick Wilking / Reuters

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    • your mom   +  The Aurora Shooting Theater Reopens F...  about 3 months ago
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    • FireGuyRoy 4 months ago

      Come on, this business was a victim of this crazy f@@@ as were the people slain. They were sure to re-open their doors someday, and at least they tried. By offering something to the grieving familys. They were damned if the do, damned if you don’t! People would be pissed off if they made no mention as well.

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