ABC News Apologizes for Suggesting ‘Dark Knight Rises’ Shooter had Tea Party Connections

Reporter Brian Ross noted that a Jim Holmes had a Tea Party webpage

ABC News is apologizing for a report that suggested that the suspect in Friday's Colorado movie theater massacre had tea party connections.

Getty ImagesPolice have taken a suspect, 24-year-old James Holmes, into custody following the mass-shooting. A report by ABC News' Brian Ross noted that a Colorado Tea Party webpage listed a Jim Holmes as a member, though he cautioned that it might not be the same person. He noted that Holmes was a resident of Aurora, the Denver suburb where the killings took place

ABC News now says that report was unfounded and premature.

In an editor's note, the news network said, "An earlier ABC News broadcast report suggested that a Jim Holmes of a Colorado Tea Party organization might be the suspect, but that report was incorrect. ABC News and Brian Ross apologize for the mistake, and for disseminating that information before it was properly vetted."

Police say that the suspect did not resist arrest after opening fire during a crowded midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises," killing 12 people and leaving 38 injured. He was reportedly carrying a knife, a rifle and a handgun when arrested, and one other gun was recovered from the theater. The gunman was also wearing a bulletproof vest and a gas mask.

 

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