Aviation Boatswain’s Mate (Handling) 3rd Class Jajuan Mangual adjusts the national ensign on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) to half-mast in remembrance of the victims and families impacted by the July 20 shooting at the Century 16 theatre in Aurora, Colo. President Obama ordered U.S. flags to be flown at half-staff Friday to honor victims of the mass shooting. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Joseph R. Vincent
Update II:
President Obama is preparing to visit Aurora, Colo., on Sunday to attend a memorial service for the victims of Friday’s mass shooting at a movie theater that killed a dozen people, according to law enforcement sources.
Read more here
UPDATE I:
Navy officials have now confirmed that a sailor was among those killed when a gunman opened fire in the Aurora movie theater:
Petty Officer Third Class John Larimer, 27, of Crystal Lake, Ill., died from injuries sustained in the incident. One other Sailor was treated for injuries and released at the scene. Both Sailors were from a unit that belongs to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Tenth Fleet, located at Buckley Air Force Base, Colo.
“I am incredibly saddened by the loss of Petty Officer John Larimer–he was an outstanding shipmate,” said Cmdr. Jeffrey Jakuboski, Larimer’s commanding officer. “A valued member of our Navy team, he will be missed by all who knew him. My heart goes out to John’s family, friends and loved ones, as well as to all victims of this horrible tragedy.”
Larimer joined the Navy June 16, 2011 and was a cryptologic technician third class. He had been stationed in Aurora since October 2011.
Our thoughts and prayers are with Petty Officer Larimer’s family
Original post:
The Department of Defense has released the following statement on the Colorado shooting incident:
The Department of Defense is deeply saddened by the news of the tragic incident at the Aurora Mall Movie Theater in Aurora, Colo. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and the families of those impacted by this event.
One sailor was injured and one, known to have been at the theatre that evening, is currently unaccounted for. Two airmen were injured in the incident. The Navy and the Air Force are working with the families of these service members to ensure they have the care and attention they need.
We can also confirm that the alleged gunman in this incident, James Holmes, is not a past or current member of any branch or component of the U.S. Armed Forces.
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Original Post:
The U.S. Air force Space Command reports that Buckley Air Force Base is supporting some of the victims of the Aurora shooting:
In response to the shooting incident that occurred at the Aurora Mall Movie Theater, Aurora, Colo. early this morning, Buckley Air Force Base has activated an Emergency Family Assistance Control Center, a Traumatic Stress Response Events Team and several chaplains are ready to assist family members affected by this tragedy.
“The Buckley Air Force Base team is coordinating with local authorities to assist as requested. We are also accounting for all of our military personnel to determine if any members were injured in this tragic event,” said Col. Daniel Dant, 460th Space Wing commander. “Our thoughts are with the families of the victims of this horrific tragedy. We have services available for all military that were involved and their families.”
Please contact the Base Chapel at 720-847-4631 for assistance if you or a loved one were affected by this event. More information will be released when it becomes available.
Buckley Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base in Aurora, Colorado, that was established by the U.S. Army in 1943. The base was named in honor of the World War I Army pilot 1LT John Harold Buckley.
The Air Force Times reports that service members from Buckley Air Force Base, Colo., are among those injured in the early morning shooting in Aurora, Colo.:
It is not yet known how many were injured or if they were all from the Air Force, LaVoie said. The shooting happened at a movie theater about five miles from the base.
“This tragic event has affected everybody here at Buckley Air Force Base and our local community friends and neighbors,” base commander Col. Daniel Dant said in a statement. “We are deeply saddened by the loss of each and every loved one. All military or their families affected can receive assistance through our base services. Please contact the base chapel 720-847-4631 if you or a loved one need assistance due to this event.”
Finally CNN News has just reported that four military personnel have been injured in the shooting: Two U.S. Navy as well as two Air Force reservists.
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.