Why The World Needs The Batman

Assalamualaikum / Peace be Upon You

On July 20, 2012, a mass shooting occurred at a Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, United States during a midnight screening of the film The Dark Knight Rises. A gunman, dressed in protective gear and clothing, set off tear gas grenades and shot into the audience with multiple firearms, killing 12 people and injuring 58 others. The sole suspect is 24-year-old James Eagan Holmes, who was arrested outside the cinema minutes later.

The First Suspect: James Eagan Holmes (24 years old)

It was reported that Holmes was a big fan of superheroes, including Batman, and that his apartment was decorated with Batman paraphernalia. His voicemail message was said to have been inspired by the distinctive, deep voice that is characteristic of Christian Bale's Batman-performance.

It is stated that he had purchased his first weapon, a Glock pistol, at a Gander Mountain shop in Aurora, and six days later a shotgun at a Bass Pro Shops in Denver. The AR-15 and the second Glock pistol purchases followed on June 7 and July 6 respectively. All the weapons were purchased legally. In the four months before the shooting Holmes also bought 3000 rounds of ammunition for the pistols, 3000 rounds for the AR-15, and 350 shells for the shotgun over the internet. On July 2, he placed an order for a combat vest, magazine holders and a knife at an online retailer.

He is suspected of having killed 12 and wounded 58 in the 2012 Aurora, Colorado, USA cinema shooting, on July 20, 2012, with multiple guns after setting off several gas or smoke canisters. The police arrested an unresisting Holmes behind the Century 16 cinema, next to his car. The responding officers recovered several guns from inside the car and the theater. According to two federal authorities, Holmes had dyed his hair red and called himself "The Joker".

Like I stated previously, I do not know what his intention were, either he was a sadistically maniac that want to recreate some of the Batman's event or a conspirator regarding this matter. It is like what was said by Sir Michael Caine who portrayed Alfred in The Dark Knight movie; "Some men just want to watch the world burn."

I do not know about on how the Firearms Law works in America but it is seems that it is easy for people to obtain firearms there. A lot of shooting cases has happened in America for the past years. Sometimes, it's frightened me to go and visit the country lately. I'm for one am thankful to live in a country where it is not easy to obtain firearms (despite the fact that I do wish to own one). 

Apparently, after a few days of the tragedy had happened, the actor Christian Bale, who played Bruce Wayne and Batman in the movie, Dark Knight, went to visit the victims of the shooting. I do not know either this is a publicity stunt for him or not but I am touched to see him go and visits the victims. He even went to the memorial site with his wife, Sibi Blazic.

Actor Christian Bale and his wife Sibi Blazic visit a memorial to the victims of July 20, 2012’s mass shooting, Tuesday, July 24, 2012 (Photo Credit: AP photo by Ted S. Warren)

Christian Bale with one of the victims

Christian Bale with the hospital staffs

It was told that Christian Bale had informed the hospital that he is coming to visit but asked that the media not be notified. Petitions asking the actor to visit Aurora were posted on Change.org following Friday’s shooting. Over the weekend, Bale released a statement regarding the massacre, saying, “Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them.”

A hero doesn't really had to be a guy who wears a mask and cape, running around the city wearing a tight latex suit in the middle of the night. A hero is somewhat who is uphold what is right and protects the innocent. You don't need to have superpowers to become a hero and help people, sometimes a piece of an advice or just a random act of kindness will make you a hero.

It is what Batman said in the movie:

You just read that using Bale's throat cancer voice

I do poke fun on Christian Bale's acting inside the Dark Knight trilogy sometimes but doesn't mean that he is a bad actor and a bad human being. Either way, I am truly grateful to see that there are still hope in humanity especially around the Hollywood's actors even though they are some people criticized this event as a merely a publicity stunt and other stuffs. For me, what he did can be an inspiration to the victims that there are people who still care.

Salam

P.S.: There were heroes during the tragedy whereby they sacrificed themselves to save their love ones. Those people are:  

Matt McQuinn: Passed away after he received the injuries in the incident.

Matt McQuinn and Samantha Yowler

Jon Blunk: Took a bullet after he shoved his girlfriend under the seats.

Jon Blunk and Jansen Young

Alex Teves: Took a bullet after shielding his girlfriend with his body.

Alex Teves and Amanda Lindgren

My deepest condolences to their families and love ones. May what they had done there be an inspirations towards the society today in to take a stand for what is wrong in order to protect someone you love. These people are heroes in my book.