In the six months since the mass shooting inside an Aurora, Colo. movie theater, the families of victims say they have not received condolences from the owner, Cinemark. But the grieving families have been invited to the official reopening of the same auditorium where their loved ones were gunned down.
Calling the invitation a “disgusting offer,” families of nine of the 12 people killed during the July 20th rampage lambasted Plano, Texas based Cinemark for asking them to attend an “evening of remembrance” on Jan. 17 that will officially reopen the theater to the public.
“Thanks for making what is a very difficult holiday season that much more difficult. Timing is everything and yours is awful,” the families said in a letter.
The invitation was issued through a victims assistance fund and said counselors would be on hand the night of the event, The Denver Post reported.
Public opinion has shown support for reopening the theater, shuttered since alleged gunman James Holmes opened fire on a midnight showing of the Batman movie, killing 12 and wounding more than 60.
Theater 9, where the shooting occurred, underwent a renovation and was outfitted with a floor-to-ceiling XD screen.
“It’s like people going back to a slaughterhouse, as far as I am concerned,” said Sandy Phillips, whose daughter Jessica Ghawi was killed.
Families also say Cinemark never reached out to them with condolences and refused to meet without lawyers present.
Cinemark refused to comment on the invitation to victims nor would it confirm it had not officially offered condolences.
Several families have filed civil suits against the theater.
vcavaliere@nydailynews.com
