Up to 14 dead after US cinema shootings

Up to 14 people are feared dead after a shooting at a midnight screening of the latest Batman movie near Denver, Colorado, according to local police.

There are concerns now that there could be an explosive device in the car park outside the cinema and a full search is underway.

Police in Aurora, Colorado, have confirmed a shooting at the cinema, and a hospital spokeswoman says there may be several victims.

Police spokeswoman Cassidee Carlson says “the scene is still very active and we have little information for release at this time”.

Emergency workers say there could be several more patients.

Local radio said a gunman in a gas mask opened fire at the cinema and set off a smoke or tear gas canister.

Reporter Brenda Stuart said movie-goers thought the attack was part of the film at first.

"This started with a midnight showing of the new 'Dark Knight' movie. Those theatres were packed, several were showing the movie. People inside said they thought it was part of the movie.

"They thought they were firecrackers and loud bangs before they saw bullets flying.

"A lot of people ran, screaming from the theatre and then tear gas went off."

Local TV pictures showed police cars surrounding the shopping mall where the Century 16 cinema is located.

According to reports, two gunmen wearing body armour may have been involved in the attack.

One has been arrested and a manhunt is under way for the second.

Local radio station KOA said initial police estimates were of 30-40 injured.

Witness Hayden Miller told KUSA-TV that he was inside Theatre 16 and heard several shots.

“Like little explosions going on and shortly after that we heard people screaming,” he told the station.

Hayden said at first he thought it was part of a louder movie next door. But then he saw “people hunched over leaving theatre”.

Spokeswoman Nicole Williams said that two people in critical condition had been rushed to the nearby Swedish Medical Centre.

She said emergency crews told her staff to prepare for several more patients from the shooting scene.

“We’re on standby to receive,” she said. “Police said they could have as many as 20 or more (patients).”

Ms Williams said she was told that “somebody opened fire with some sort of weapon during the Dark Knight movie.