Effects of Aurora shooting still linger as a community tries to move on

Today, the general public is less concerned about what happened during July in Aurora, Colo., but the effects still linger.

When someone asks, “Did you see ‘Batman, The Dark Knight Rises?’” my response is filled with mixed emotions.

As an American, there is a sense of courtesy in going and seeing the movie during which so many fellow citizens lost their lives. But there is a sense of inner turmoil while watching the movie.

The same can be said about “The Dark Knight.” I went to see Heath Ledger because it was one of his last acting roles before he died during the filming of “The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassasus.”

Change affects everyone, but the movie massacre in Colorado brought back memories of the Columbine High School shooting.

Our shared humanity pulls us together in times of hardship. It’s like a tightly woven net that catches us when we fall.

In circumstances like this, people force themselves into history when they commit attrocities such as these. But we are left with unswered questions as to why it all happened.

One question that comes to me is, “What does it mean to kill and take away an innocent life forever?”

No, society is not living in Gotham City surrounded by hardened criminals, but the tragedy makes a person wonder. As the community in Colorado struggles with the loss of loved ones, research teams and psychologist are trying to discover what caused James Holmes to kill 12 people and wound more than 58 others.

The damage that they have experienced was not caused only by bullets. Many of the victims’ families still feel the pain, sheer terror and awestruck disbelief about what happened that night.

Who is James Holmes?
According to the news, he was in a competitive neuroscience graduate program at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical campus and suffers from an unspecified mental illness.

If he did try to see three different mental health doctors on campus, then he must have, to some degree, been aware of and concerned about his mental problems.

But one has to wonder how open he was with those physicians.

If he was trying to protect others from himself, it should be noted. His perception is imperative to understanding the ongoing debate, and mental illness may or may not be to blame.

Since Holmes was a college graduate pursuing a doctorate degree, can he plead insanity?
There is no doubt the “Batman” movies have left an impact on how we think about violence. The hero, Batman, became involved in the tragedy that befell Aurora.

I think the evidence of Holmes’ court case will tell us whether he is truly insane and, perhaps, give us insight into his heart-wrenching actions.

His deliberate nature seems to indicate that he intended to do harm to others, and as the court cases unfold I hope that I will slowly begin to understand the reasons behind Holmes’ horrifying massacre.

In all likelihood, his insanity plea will be denied. But hopefully his reasons for attacking a group of innocent people will be revealed.

It is with great disdain I express how I feel about James Holmes. He is a smart man that does not know how to consider other’s emotions because the way he perceives life is without joy, compassion, love, freedom, trueness and happiness.