The National Association of Theatre Owners is urging exhibitors throughout the country to raise money for victims of last week's shooting in an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater.
The movie-industry trade group is encouraging its members to donate to the Aurora Victim Relief Fund, which will be used to help victims, their families and others impacted by the mass-killing in the Denver suburb.
Warner Bros., the studio behind "The Dark Knight Rises," said Monday that it was donating an undisclosed sum to the victims of the mass-shooting.
NATO said that it chose the charity at the suggestion of Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper and Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan.
"Our industry, as it has countless times before, stands ready to help those in need," NATO President and CEO John Fithian wrote members.
"As we watch the aftermath unfold and try to make sense of this terrible crime, you should be encouraged by the leadership and dedication of the community of Aurora as they comfort and assist their families and neighbors," he added. "The courage of the victims, their families and loved ones, the theater employees involved, the first responders and hospital staff members has steeled the resolve of the community and its leaders to recover from this tragedy and to emerge even stronger than before."
Friday's shooting at a midnight show left 12 dead and 58 wounded. James Holmes, a 24-year-old University of Colorado graduate student, is allegedly behind the shooting.
The tragedy has also left Hollywood shaken, coming as it did on what was supposed to be a massive box office weekend owing to the release of the Batman sequel, and raised questions about movie theater security measures.
