Gun club rejected 'bizarre' suspect

Aurora shooting suspect James Holmes applied to join a Colorado gun range but never became a member after the owner became concerned over his “bizarre” message and behaviour.

Owner Glenn Rotkovich said Holmes emailed an application to join the Lead Valley Range in Byers on June 25 and there were no overt warning signs in that form.

Holmes said he was not a user of illegal drugs or a convicted felon, so Mr Rotkovich followed up by calling Holmes’ flat to invite him to a mandatory orientation the following week.

Mr Rotkovich got Holmes’ answering machine and says “it was bizarre - guttural, freakish at best”.

Mr Rotkovich left two other messages but eventually told his staff to watch for Holmes at the July 1 orientation and not to accept him into the club.