Christopher Nolan, the director of "The Dark Knight Rises," has broken his silence about the shootings at a midnight screening of his film in Aurora, Colo. on Thursday night, calling the shootings an "appalling crime" and saying that his thoughts are with the victims and their families.

"Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of 'The Dark Knight Rises,' I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community," Nolan said in a statement. "I would not presume to know anything about the victims of the shooting but that they were there last night to watch a movie.

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"I believe movies are one of the great American art forms and the shared experience of watching a story unfold on screen is an important and joyful pastime," Nolan's statement continues. "The movie theater is my home, and the idea that someone would violate that innocent and hopeful place in such an unbearably savage way is devastating to me. Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families."

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Twelve moviegoers died and dozens were injured in the shooting spree. Police have arrested James Holmes, 24, as a suspect in the massacre.