Nearly six months after the massacre that killed 12 people at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, the case against shooter James Holmes got under way today with two cops testifying at Holmes’ preliminary hearing.
The court heard chilling testimony that detailed Holmes’ capture as well as the attempted rescue of victim Jessica Ghawi.
Officer Jason Oviatt, one of the cops who apprehended Holmes outside the theater, testified that he at first believed Holmes to be a police officer because of his armor and weaponry. But he noticed Holmes “was just standing there” and not moving with urgency, “so I held him at gunpoint.”
Holmes, who was standing by his car, put his hands up and complied with officers — though there was a handgun atop his the vehicle, within reach.
The cops stripped off Holmes’ clothing and body armor — down to his underwear — to make sure he wasn’t hiding additional weapons.
Reporters in court tweeted from the hearing — detailing Holmes’ capture and the gruesome death of his victims.
#Theatershooting update: Officer Jason Obiatt with @aurorapd was 1st to see James Holmes behind theater, held him at gunpoint from 20 feet
— 7NEWS DenverChannel (@DenverChannel) January 7, 2013
From @aurorapd officer about Ghawi, “every time she moved, she would stop breathing.” #TheaterShooting #7NewsNOW
— Marshall Zelinger (@7Marshall) January 7, 2013
#Theatershooting update: Officer Oviatt said James Holmes had a semi-automatic handgun within reach when he surrendered ch7ne.ws/RCjUit
— 7NEWS DenverChannel (@DenverChannel) January 7, 2013
RT @valcbs4: One officer described Holmes as “very, very relaxed,” and “seemed to be out of it.” #theatershooting preliminary hearing
— CBSDenver (@CBSDenver) January 7, 2013
Theater shooting prelim hrg.APD officers say Holmes had 2 munition magazine clips, told them he had 4 guns. Cops found assault rifle in car
— CBSDenver (@CBSDenver) January 7, 2013
#Theatershooting update: Suspect James Holmes has bushy hair & beard, seems to be listening attentively in court. ch7ne.ws/RCjUit
— 7NEWS DenverChannel (@DenverChannel) January 7, 2013
#Theatershooting update: “I saw a trail of blood that led toward one of the theater’s exits,” Officer Oviatt testified. ch7ne.ws/RCjUit
— 7NEWS DenverChannel (@DenverChannel) January 7, 2013
#Theatershooting update: Officer Jason Obiatt w/ @aurorapd said he first thought James Holmes was an officer b/c of helmet & gas mask
— 7NEWS DenverChannel (@DenverChannel) January 7, 2013
Grizzle chokes up describing “several bodies throughout the theater laying motionless,” slipping in blood as he entered #theatershooting
— Jessica Fender (@Oh_Fender) January 7, 2013
Ofc. Grizzle asked #theatershooting suspect if there was a 2nd shooter. “He just looked at me and smiled. It was a smirk.”
— Jessica Fender (@Oh_Fender) January 7, 2013
P.m. testimony in #theatershooting hearing focuses on how each victim died/was injured. At least 33 bullets killed the 12 slain victim.
— Jessica Fender (@Oh_Fender) January 7, 2013
6 yo Veronica Moser-Sullivan shot 4 times & dies at hospital. Her mother Ashley was partially paralyzed on the scene #theatershooting
— Jessica Fender (@Oh_Fender) January 7, 2013