will be increasing security at the following an overnight shooting at a Colorado showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" in which 12 were killed and at least 50 injured.
Assistant Chief Joseph LaSata said that a representative from West Hartford Police visited the movie theater today, and has offered them ideas for increased security.
"We will be increasing our visibility and coverage around the cinemas," LaSata said Friday afternoon. The additional coverage was not requested by movie theater management, but is being implemented pro-actively by the West Hartford Police Department, said LaSata. Representatives from Criterion Cinemas could not be reached for comment.
"The Dark Knight Rises" opened to packed houses at 12:01 a.m. Friday on several screens at the West Hartford theater.
A 24-year-old gunman, initially identified as James Holmes from the Denver suburb of Aurora, is in custody and suspected of opening fire in a crowded movie theater near Denver, killing at least 12 people and injuring some 50 more.
The suspect was reportedly heavily armed, carrying upward of six rifles and handguns, and wearing a bullet-proof vest.
A Denver police spokesman this morning told Matt Lauer of The Today Show that 10 people died inside the theater and two more died at a local hospital. The spokesman also said the condition of those injured ranges from minor to serious. He said "early indications" are that the gunman acted alone.
He is suspected of entering a movie theater in Aurora around 12:30 a.m., where the new Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises," was being screened, and opening fire, the Huffington Post reports.
Bow Tie Criterion Cinemas in West Hartford will be showing "The Dark Knight Rises" on several screens today and throughout the weekend, and moviegoers can expect an increased security presence.
"We will use this as an opportunity to strengthen our relationship with them," LaSata said.
Connecticut State Police will also be making regular checks on facilities today where people gather en masse, a spokesman told Patch.
“We’ll certainly increase our frequency, let’s put it that way,” said Lt. J. Paul Vance, Connecticut State Police spokesman. “We’ll be visible and we’ll make additional checks of areas and large facilities where people converge.”
