'Dark Knight' goes on at local theaters in wake of Colo. shooting

By KVAL News Published: Jul 20, 2012 at 11:44 AM PDT Last Updated: Jul 20, 2012 at 2:52 PM PDT
'Dark Knight' goes on at local theaters in wake of Colo. shooting »Play Video
Judy Goos, center left, hugs her daughter's friend, Isaiah Bow, 20, while eyewitnesses Emma Goos, 19, left, and Terrell Wallin, 20, right, gather outside Gateway High School where witnesses were brought for questioning Friday, July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colo. A gunman wearing a gas mask set off an unknown gas and fired into a crowded movie theater at a midnight opening of the Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises," killing at least 12 people and injuring at least 50 others, authorities said. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez)

EUGENE, Ore. - Showings of "The Dark Knight Rises" will go on at the theaters at Valley River Center in Eugene and Gateway mall in Springfield in the wake of the deadly shooting spree in Colorado.

Justin Smith went to a midnight premiere of the movie at Cinemark 17 at Gateway Mall.

He heard the news of the shooting this morning.

He said the incident won't keep him from going to the movies but added he has thought about theater security before.

"You know, you come into a movie theater, there's some people where you're like, I'm not sure if you're supposed to be having stuff like that in here," Smith said.

Valley River Center staff didn't want to talk on camera about Regal Valley River Center Stadium 15 but issued the following statement:

"We are shocked and deeply saddened by today's tragedy in Colorado. Our prayers and condolences remain with the families of the victims. The safety of our shoppers is our top priority - we have a thorough security program in place at Valley River Center and work closely with law enforcement to address specific issues."

Gateway Mall issued this statement:

"We are shocked and sadden by the senseless act of violence that occurred in Aurora, CO. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and their local community during this extremely difficult time. The safety and the well-being of our shoppers are our top priority.  We maintain a close relationship with local authorities regarding our ongoing security plan." 

Movie theater security is undergoing scrutiny in the wake of the mass shooting in Colorado.

In 2009, a 24-year-old man took a gun to a midnight screening of the movie "The Watchmen" and shot and killed himself. No one else was injured.

American courthouses, airports and some schools now restrict access or require screenings by metal detectors to enter.