Katrina Timma was tired after she returned from work on the evening of Friday, July 20.
‘When I woke up on Saturday morning there were text messages from friends and messages from family on my phone,? she said.
According to news reports, Aurora, Colo., police say James Holmes, 24, allegedly entered a midnight showing of the movie ‘The Dark Knight Rises? early Friday, July 20 and opened fire with a rifle, shotgun and .40-caliber handgun, killing 12 people and injuring 58.
The incident, which took place about 12:30 a.m. at the Century 16 movie theater, is about two miles from Timma’s apartment in Aurora.
‘First thing Saturday morning I did not know what had happened the night before. I was supposed to go the night before to that theater. But I was too tired to go to see ‘Dark Knight? after I had picked up my boyfriend from work. The messages were asking if I was OK. I kept thinking, ‘Just what is going on???
Timma, 28, a 2003 Goodrich High School graduate, has been working since 2010 at Magnus Pacific Corporation in nearby Greenwood Village, Colo.
Holmes was found near a car behind the theater and arrested. They later found his apartment booby-trapped with explosives and chemicals set to explode if someone entered.
‘My dad was in South Korea working at the time when the shooting occurred. He called me and left messages asking if I was OK,? she said.
Timma’s mother passed away last November.
‘My Dad was concerned about my emotions,? she said. ‘I guess my Mom was looking over me and my friends.?
‘I could have been there,? she said. I just fell asleep and missed the movie.?
‘The friends I was going meet at Aurora Theaters decided not to go also at the last minute’some had tickets already. I guess they gave those tickets away before the show started’I’m not sure.?
‘It was a sad day in Aurora. I didn’t know anyone at the movies that night. It goes to the heart? it was crazy? I watched the news all day,? she said. ‘I could not believe someone would do something so horrific.?
Timma had been to the Century 16 movie theater once or twice before.
‘I usually don’t go to the Aurora movie (theater)’I go to one a little farther away it’s nicer and newer. I was going to the Aurora Century 16 on Friday night because it’s closer to my apartment and the movie started at midnight. I’m a huge nerd for Batman,? she said. ‘He’s one of my favorite heroes. I just love his character’he’s amazing since Batman has no superhuman abilities and he’s still a hero. He’s the greatest.?
On Saturday morning Peoria Street, where Timma’s apartment is located, was blocked off by Aurora police.
‘Holmes lived on Peoria Street, too, but at 17th Street’about 20 minutes from my apartment,? she said. ‘Police had it blocked off due to the bombs in his apartment. That’s how far away police figured the explosions could cause damage.?
‘The talk in Aurora is about the victims and about the movie theater,? she said. ‘Since (the movie theater which is still closed) is on private property it’s going to be up to the owners’they are trying to decide what they want to do with it. Some say if it’s torn down then it’s a win for Holmes. A lot of people are donating blood for the victims and money to the families that need help. Right now it’s about a two week wait to donate blood.?
‘People are very angry here, hurt and very concerned for the victims. The community is very sensitive. For me I want to go see Batman, but it’s kind of frightening. I guess I’ll put ‘Dark Knight? on hold for awhile.?