Rescue workers weren’t prepared for chaos of Aurora shooting

Ben Brumfield and Cristy Lenz, CNN
2 minute read
Updated 9:35 AM EDT, Thu May 2, 2013
The public gets its first glimpse of James Holmes, then 24, the suspect in the Colorado theater shooting during his initial court appearance July 23, 2012. With his hair dyed reddish-orange, Holmes, here with public defender Tamara Brady, showed little emotion. He is accused of opening fire in a movie theater July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colorado, killing 12 people and wounding 70. Holmes faces 166 counts, almost all alleging murder or attempted murder. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2012/07/21/us/gallery/colorado-mourning-victims/index.html" target="_blank">More photos: Mourning the victims of the Colorado theater massacre</a>
The public gets its first glimpse of James Holmes, then 24, the suspect in the Colorado theater shooting during his initial court appearance July 23, 2012. With his hair dyed reddish-orange, Holmes, here with public defender Tamara Brady, showed little emotion. He is accused of opening fire in a movie theater July 20, 2012, in Aurora, Colorado, killing 12 people and wounding 70. Holmes faces 166 counts, almost all alleging murder or attempted murder. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. More photos: Mourning the victims of the Colorado theater massacre
RJ Sangosti-Pool/Getty Images
Police release the official photo from Holmes' booking after the shooting.
Police release the official photo from Holmes' booking after the shooting.
Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office
Holmes often had a blank stare during his July 23, 2012, court appearance, seeming to be in a daze.
Holmes often had a blank stare during his July 23, 2012, court appearance, seeming to be in a daze.
Victims and their relatives and journalists watch the proceedings in 2012.
Victims and their relatives and journalists watch the proceedings in 2012.
Flags fly at half-staff on July 23, 2012, at the Arapahoe County Courthouse in Centennial, Colorado, where the movie theater shooting suspect had his first court appearance. The murder counts against Holmes carry a possible death penalty.
Flags fly at half-staff on July 23, 2012, at the Arapahoe County Courthouse in Centennial, Colorado, where the movie theater shooting suspect had his first court appearance. The murder counts against Holmes carry a possible death penalty.
Getty Images
Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers talks to reporters July 23, 2012, before heading into the courthouse. The murder counts against Holmes carry a possible death penalty.
Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers talks to reporters July 23, 2012, before heading into the courthouse. The murder counts against Holmes carry a possible death penalty.
Getty Images
Family members of the victims arrive at the courthouse July 23, 2012, for the suspect's first court appearance.
Family members of the victims arrive at the courthouse July 23, 2012, for the suspect's first court appearance.
Getty Images
The Century Aurora 16 multiplex in Aurora becomes a place of horror after a gunman opened fire July 20, 2012, in a crowded theater.
The Century Aurora 16 multiplex in Aurora becomes a place of horror after a gunman opened fire July 20, 2012, in a crowded theater.
epa/landov
Holmes is accused of opening fire during a midnight screening of the Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises." Holmes purchased four weapons and more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition, police say.
Holmes is accused of opening fire during a midnight screening of the Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises." Holmes purchased four weapons and more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition, police say.
Courtesy University of Colorado
Police investigate outside the Century 16 multiplex July 21, 2012, a day after the mass shooting.
Police investigate outside the Century 16 multiplex July 21, 2012, a day after the mass shooting.
Getty Images
Agents search the suspect's car outside the theater.
Agents search the suspect's car outside the theater.
Landov
Aurora police escort a sand-filled dump truck containing improvised explosive devices removed from Holmes' booby-trapped apartment on July 21, 2012. Authorities have said they believe the suspect rigged his place before leaving for the movie theater.
Aurora police escort a sand-filled dump truck containing improvised explosive devices removed from Holmes' booby-trapped apartment on July 21, 2012. Authorities have said they believe the suspect rigged his place before leaving for the movie theater.
Getty Images
Police break a window at the suspect's apartment July 20, 2012, in Aurora.
Police break a window at the suspect's apartment July 20, 2012, in Aurora.
Getty Images
Law enforcement officers speak with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, center, outside the suspect's apartment July 21, 2012.
Law enforcement officers speak with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, center, outside the suspect's apartment July 21, 2012.
AFP/Getty Images
Law enforcement officers prepare to disarm the booby-trapped apartment July 21, 2012.
Law enforcement officers prepare to disarm the booby-trapped apartment July 21, 2012.
Getty Images
Officials tow cars outside Holmes' apartment July 21, 2012. Police disassembled devices and trip wires set up in the apartment.
Officials tow cars outside Holmes' apartment July 21, 2012. Police disassembled devices and trip wires set up in the apartment.
Getty Images
Officers prepare to place an explosive device inside the apartment.
Officers prepare to place an explosive device inside the apartment.
AFP/Getty Images
Debris flies out a window, right, after law enforcement officers detonate an explosive device inside the apartment July 21, 2012.
Debris flies out a window, right, after law enforcement officers detonate an explosive device inside the apartment July 21, 2012.
AFP/Getty Images
People mourn the victims during a vigil behind the theater where a gunman opened fire on moviegoers in Aurora.
People mourn the victims during a vigil behind the theater where a gunman opened fire on moviegoers in Aurora.
reuters/landov
A woman grieves during a vigil for victims behind the theater.
A woman grieves during a vigil for victims behind the theater.
reuters/landov
A distraught woman receives counseling from the Rev. Quincy Shannon, left, in front of Gateway High School in Aurora, where the families of the missing met after the shooting.
A distraught woman receives counseling from the Rev. Quincy Shannon, left, in front of Gateway High School in Aurora, where the families of the missing met after the shooting.
AFP/Getty Images
Lin Gan of Aurora holds back tears as she speaks to reporters about her experience in the Century 16 theater.
Lin Gan of Aurora holds back tears as she speaks to reporters about her experience in the Century 16 theater.
AFP/Getty Images
People embrace before a vigil for victims behind the theater where a gunman opened fire on moviegoers.
People embrace before a vigil for victims behind the theater where a gunman opened fire on moviegoers.
reuters/landov
Investigators work on evidence near the apartment of James Holmes on July 20, 2012.
Investigators work on evidence near the apartment of James Holmes on July 20, 2012.
Getty Images
Members of the Aurora Police Department SWAT unit walk near the Holmes' apartment.
Members of the Aurora Police Department SWAT unit walk near the Holmes' apartment.
Getty Images
Television news crews gather in front of the home of Robert and Arlene Holmes, parents of suspect James Holmes, in San Diego on July 21, 2012.
Television news crews gather in front of the home of Robert and Arlene Holmes, parents of suspect James Holmes, in San Diego on July 21, 2012.
Getty Images
A popcorn box lies on the ground outside the Century 16 movie theater.
A popcorn box lies on the ground outside the Century 16 movie theater.
Getty Images
Adariah Legarreta, 4, is comforted by her grandmother Rita Abeyta near the Century 16 Theater in Aurora.
Adariah Legarreta, 4, is comforted by her grandmother Rita Abeyta near the Century 16 Theater in Aurora.
epa/landov
Jessica Ghawi, an aspiring sportscaster, was one of the victims.
Jessica Ghawi, an aspiring sportscaster, was one of the victims.
KSAT
A woman waits for news outside Gateway High School, a few blocks from the scene of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16.
A woman waits for news outside Gateway High School, a few blocks from the scene of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16.
Landov
Aurora police chief Daniel J. Oates speaks at a press conference near the Century 16 Theater on July 20, 2012.
Aurora police chief Daniel J. Oates speaks at a press conference near the Century 16 Theater on July 20, 2012.
epa/landov
Agents search the trash container outside the suspect's apartment in Aurora.
Agents search the trash container outside the suspect's apartment in Aurora.
Landov
A Federal ATF officer carries protective gear onsite at the home of the shooting suspect.
A Federal ATF officer carries protective gear onsite at the home of the shooting suspect.
upi/landov
President Obama speaks on the shootings at a July 20, 2012, event in Fort Myers, Florida.
President Obama speaks on the shootings at a July 20, 2012, event in Fort Myers, Florida.
AFP/Getty Images
Moviegoers are interviewed at the Century Aurora 16.
Moviegoers are interviewed at the Century Aurora 16.
Getty Images
Officers gather at the theater July 20, 2012.
Officers gather at the theater July 20, 2012.
Getty Images
Investigators were a common sight at the theater on July 20, 2012.
Investigators were a common sight at the theater on July 20, 2012.
Getty Images
Authorities gather at the shooting suspect's apartment building in Aurora. Police broke a second-floor window to look for explosives the suspect claimed were in the apartment.
Authorities gather at the shooting suspect's apartment building in Aurora. Police broke a second-floor window to look for explosives the suspect claimed were in the apartment.
Reuters/Landov
Screaming, panicked moviegoers scrambled to escape from the black-clad gunman, who wore a gas mask and randomly shot as he walked up the theater's steps, witnesses said.
Screaming, panicked moviegoers scrambled to escape from the black-clad gunman, who wore a gas mask and randomly shot as he walked up the theater's steps, witnesses said.
reuters/landov
Onlookers gather outside the Century Aurora 16 theater.
Onlookers gather outside the Century Aurora 16 theater.
epa/landov
A woman sits on top of her car near the crime scene.
A woman sits on top of her car near the crime scene.
epa/landov
Police block access to the Town Center mall after the shooting.
Police block access to the Town Center mall after the shooting.
epa/landov
Cell phone video taken by someone at the theater showed scores of people screaming and fleeing the building. Some, like this man, had blood on their clothes.
Cell phone video taken by someone at the theater showed scores of people screaming and fleeing the building. Some, like this man, had blood on their clothes.
from youtube
Witnesses told KUSA the gunman kicked in an emergency exit door and threw a smoke bomb into the darkened theater before opening fire.
Witnesses told KUSA the gunman kicked in an emergency exit door and threw a smoke bomb into the darkened theater before opening fire.
KMGH
What is believed to be the suspect's car is examined after the shooting.
What is believed to be the suspect's car is examined after the shooting.
KDVR
Colorado movie theater shooting

Story highlights

NEW: Lagging communication caused delays in emergency medical response

1,400 people poured out in a panic, many covered in blood

They surrounded rescue vehicles, blocking access to the theater

People were in shock and covered in blood, and many were not sure if they had been shot

CNN  — 

When a shooter sprayed a movie audience with bullets in a Colorado theater last summer, paramedics were not prepared for the extent of the carnage and arrived with too few ambulances, fire officials say in a new report.

Fourteen hundred audience members rushed out in a panic, when James Holmes allegedly opened fire in Aurora’s Century cinema on July 20, killing 12 and wounding nearly 60 more.

The confused crowd swarmed around ambulances and police cars, blocking access to the building and the parking lot and hindering rescue efforts, the Aurora fire department said Wednesday in a preliminary analysis of the incident.

First responders recount initial chaos

Emergency vehicles inundated by crowds were forced to drive over medians and curbs to gain access to the wounded found at eight different locations on the property, according to the fire report.

Cynthia Davis, center, visits the roadside memorial set up for victims of the Colorado shooting massacre across the street from the Century 16 movie theater on Monday, July 30, 2012, in Aurora, Colorado. Twelve people were killed in the theater early July 20, 2012, during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises." Suspect James Holmes was taken into custody shortly after the attack. More photos: Colorado movie theater shooting
Cynthia Davis, center, visits the roadside memorial set up for victims of the Colorado shooting massacre across the street from the Century 16 movie theater on Monday, July 30, 2012, in Aurora, Colorado. Twelve people were killed in the theater early July 20, 2012, during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises." Suspect James Holmes was taken into custody shortly after the attack. More photos: Colorado movie theater shooting
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Related gallery Photos: Mourning the victims of the Colorado massacre

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pml michael moore sandy hook aurora guns_00010127.jpg
video

Related video Moore: There will be another Aurora

Police cruisers ended up carrying many of the critically injured to hospitals.

Many of the moviegoers were covered in blood, were in shock and not sure whether or not they had been shot, the fire department said.

Rescue efforts were also delayed by lagging communication between dispatchers, police and fire officials, according to a report by the Denver Post.

Emergency medical teams did not receive notification to deploy until 17 minutes after the shooting was reported, a fire official told the Post. Police officers at the rear of the theater called for medical help for seven minutes, while a fire official held ambulances on standby nearby.

Holmes faces 166 counts of murder, attempted murder and other charges in the shooting rampage. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty.

Since the death penalty was reinstated in Colorado more than 35 years ago, the state has executed just one person.