Batman cinema shooting: Under the radar, the easy-going PhD student with no friends

Shortly before he dropped out, Holmes had taken a class on psychiatric
disorders.

Fellow students described him as a recluse, and one said: “No one knew him; no
one.”

Even more recently, just a few weeks ago according to the building manager, he
moved to apartment 10 on the third floor at 1690 Paris Street, Aurora. On a
rent application he described himself as “quiet and easy-going”, according
to the Denver Post.

Unlike many previous massacres, where signs of a motive have been immediately
apparent, Holmes appears to have gone “under the radar”.

The authorities said that he was not on any watch list nor was he a member of
any terrorist organisation. It was also confirmed that he was not a member
of the armed forces.

Holmes was remembered by neighbours in San Diego as a shy, well-mannered young
man who was heavily involved in their local Presbyterian church.

“He seemed to be a normal kid, I don’t know what triggered it. This makes me
very sad,” said Tom Mai, a retired electrical engineer. Some websites
speculated that he held extreme Left-wing views and may have been an
anti-capitalist protester. Another neighbour in San Diego said Holmes had
tried and failed to secure a job after graduating.

Police refused to speculate on a motive. Officers said they were confident
that he acted alone, buying a ticket and then opening a fire exit and
leaving the door ajar to return later.

Following the massacre, which witnesses say was conducted calmly, Holmes
revealed that further carnage was planned.

He told police that there were explosives inside his apartment. Officers
discovered that the entire apartment had been booby-trapped with bombs —
chemical and incendiary — ready to be detonated by trip wires. It is not
clear whether Holmes’ scientific expertise played a part in his ability to
make the devices.

After his arrest and initial willingness to speak, police had hoped Holmes
would reveal his motivation, but he refused to speak any further, it was
reported.

At his parents’ home in San Diego, his mother, Arlene Holmes, told reporters
she was unaware of the attacks until she woke up, but added: “You’ve got the
right person,” a comment that some interpreted to mean she was not surprised
her son could be behind such brutal acts.

Yesterday Holmes’s father was taken to Colorado while his mother stayed at
home. They released a statement which read: “Our hearts go out to those who
were involved in this tragedy and to the family and friends also involved.”

They said they were cooperating with authorities.

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