Local cinemas beef up security after Colo. shooting

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (WSVN) -- Local movie theaters are increasing security in the wake of a deadly mass shooting in Colorado.

Local movie goers said they are saddened by the massacre, which occurred in a movie theater during a midnight screening of the new Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises." Despite news of the deadly tragedy at an Aurora, Colorado movie theater, many South Floridians did not change their plans to attend the premiere of the film.

Jesse Martin stood in line at the Cinemark in Davie Friday morning, waiting to see the film after hearing of the shooting. "Pretty crazy, someone going in and shooting people up over I don't even know what. They haven't figured it out, but it's kind of crazy."

Cinemark is the same movie chain where 24-year-old James Holmes burst into a movie theater. The shooting left 12 people dead and as many as 59 injured. Police arrested Holmes soon after, without incident. His motive remains a mystery, however.

Jason Corbo was also at Cinemark in Davie to see the new Batman movie. He said, "It's kind of sad knowing that you're going to the movie theater with your family and out of nowhere somebody just starts unleashing on everybody."

"I think it's a tragedy. You can't even protect yourself from somebody like that," said Tyler Tieder. "I guess someone wanted to do something crazy, and they did it. It's a tragedy."

Police and movie theaters are working together to provide increased security. Davie Police said patrons at the Cinemark Paradise 24, located at 15601 Sheridan Street in Davie, should expect to see increased security. Police did not go into details as to how they are increasing security, however.

AMC Theatres released a statement regarding increased security at their movie houses. The statement read in part: "We're reinforcing our security procedures with our theatre teams, which we cannot discuss in detail for obvious, safety reasons. Local law enforcement agencies, our landlords and their and our local security teams are stepping up nationwide to ensure we provide the safest environment possible for our guests."

The theater chain stated that all shows remain on schedule. However, they are not permitting any audience members wearing costumes or carrying prop weapons. They are offering refunds to anyone who requests. "We are taking necessary precautions to ensure our guests who wish to enjoy a movie this weekend can do so with as much peace of mind as possible in these circumstances," the statement read.

It is a terrible scene which played out across America and has left people with many unanswered questions. "I still don't understand how somebody can get inside a movie theater with two rifles, a handgun and a gas mask, tear gas grenade and pass everybody, and even get through the emergency exit," said Corbo. "That means somebody had to let the guy in. So, he has to have somebody else working with him."

The news, however, is not deterring movie theaters from holding back on screenings for "The Dark Night Rises." The Regal Cinema in Fort Lauderdale stuck with its plan to show the movie every hour on the hour with no plans to scale back the number of screenings.

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