ABC news apologizes for shooter-ID mistake, rush to broadcast erroneous information
In the rush to report breaking news, ABC apparently did not properly verify information before broadcasting it, and has apologized for wrongly identifying the recent suspect/shooter in an Aurora movie theater as being a member of the Colorado Tea Party.
Brian Ross and ABC News realized they had erred in disseminating that information without proper vetting, they now say.
Media are also reporting that the actual suspect was James Holmes, had his hair painted red and said he was “The Joker,” which seems to indicate he had taken on the personna of the enemy/antagonist in the most recent Batman release, from a CBS in Denver story.
James Holmes, reports the NC Times, grew up in the North County region of San Diego. He may have recently moved to get his Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of Colorado, states former neighbor Tom Mai, 61. Holmes’ mother said her son left to pursue his doctorate because he could not find a job. He may also have been in the process of withdrawing from the college when the shooting happened, according to the story.
The attack came during a late night screening of the movie “The Dark Knight Rises,” and law enforcement officials say the weapons used in the massacre include a military-style AR-15 assault rifle, a shotgun and two handguns. Police arrested Holmes in the theater parking lot.
