Crystal Lake Man Confirmed Dead in Movie Theater Shooting
The father of John T. Larimer said his son was one of the 12 people killed during the midnight showing of the new Batman movie in Aurora, Colorado.
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Crystal Lake resident Scott Larimer on Saturday morning confirmed his son, John T. Larimer, was one of the 12 victims killed at the Aurora, Colorado movie theater on Friday.
The Larimer family, who had spent all day Friday frantically trying to reach their 27-year-old son, received word of his fate nearly 24 hours after the shooting.
"We finally heard the news at around midnight last night," Scott Larimer said from his home on Cedar Crest Drive, as he talked with neighbors stopping by to give their condolences.
Media trucks with news reporters and cameras waited on the street.
The family issued this statement Saturday, July 21:
"Last night about midnight a Navy notification team arrived at our house to let us officially know that our 27-year-old son John was in fact one of the 12 killed at the theater in Aurora, Colorado.
At this point our other son, Noel, is in Denver working with the Navy, and the family here in Illinois to make arrangements to bring John home.
We respectfully ask that the family and friends of John be allowed time and privacy to grieve for John, and we send our thoughts and prayers out to the families of the other victims and those still recovering in the hospital.
We love you John, and we will miss you always."
Larimer Family
Crystal Lake, IL
John Larimer, a graduate of Crystal Lake South High School, was a member of the U.S. Navy and went to the midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" with friends. According to several reports, there were five military personnel inside the theater.
The alleged gunman, James Holmes, who is being held in the Arapaho County Jail, entered through a back door of the theatre and began shooting. Authorities say Holmes over the past 60 days had purchased six guns at local metropolitan gun shops in the Denver area. He also bought more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition through the Internet, according to Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates.
Oates said in a Friday evening press conference 70 people were injured in the attack, most from gun fire. A few people sustained injuries while trying to flee the theater.
Ten of the victims were killed inside the theater, Oates said. John Larimer was one of those 10, his father Scott said. Two more people died after being transported to the hospital.
As of last night, 30 victims were still hospitalized, 11 of those are listed in critical condition.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, at the same press conference, called the attack "a senseless act of violence...there just aren't words to describe it."
Ruthe Wille
12:07 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012
Our deepest sympathy to the Larimer Family. We will remember your son and your family in our prayers!
Skip
1:24 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012
There are no words that can adequately express the sorrow of this terrible loss to your son/brother/friend. May your fondest memories of your times together bring you peace and comfort in this very difficult time.
Mrs. H
1:30 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012
A senseless killing. Peace for the family.
anita bailey
3:52 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012
Praying for your family . I hope you find peace in this tragic time .
Atoorina Varda Braun
4:51 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012
We are praying for your family. Please accept our condolences.
Susan
11:23 pm on Saturday, July 21, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers to you and all the other families who lost loved ones.
Susan
Denver/Aurora
Alex Brewington
9:06 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I am so sorry for your loss. I pray that you have peace that transcends understanding.
Alex/Illinois
christy barnes
11:59 am on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Sorry for the LOST!My GOD be with YALE!PAYERS goes OUT
Craig Apelbaum
12:00 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Nothing can bring these innocent people back to life. All we an do for them, their families, and the surviviors, is pray for them. Think about them. And hope and pray that nothing of this nature never happens again.
And for those deceased people. Let us say; Into thy hands, Oh Lord God. May they rest in peace in Your Hands. And let us say amen.
Donna Dickinson
12:03 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Our hearts go out to you and your family for the senseless loss of your son. Bless you all. The Dickinson Family
Jack H
12:03 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
My condolences to the family. This is a senseless tragedy.
Jack H
12:07 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
I think the time has come for a national Firearms card, a national CCW, and training course where applicants are screened more carefully. I am very sorry for the loss that all these families and victims have sustained over what should have been a midnight movie.
zen
11:17 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
Our prayers go out to the loved ones.
I agree that better screening is necessary...
How did an unemployed college student afford $20,000 worth of weaponry?
Who let him into the theatre, and why?
How did the kid rig up his entire apartment so, when he had no explosives training? And why would he immediately tell police about it?
This is a terrible tragedy, and we all deserve the truth, not just the usual circus act the news plays for us.
Melissa
12:46 pm on Monday, July 23, 2012
all great questions. Since he's not cooperating with authorities I wonder if we'll ever know the answers to those questions.
Sarah Millard
11:25 pm on Sunday, July 22, 2012
This is so sad. If John graduated in May 2008, I graduated with him. While I didn't know John, I am sure our paths crossed on the UW-Whitewater campus. My prayers are going out to all the family members.
Jack H
1:05 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
I do not know if they will figure out what made Hughes do what he did. Psychiatrists will be looking at this for years. Maybe it was an agenda, maybe fantasy, or even delusions. I know it is hard for the families and our nation, and I feel for the victims and their families. These could have been any of our kids or family.
Donna
4:31 am on Monday, July 23, 2012
All of you are in my heart and prayers. I am so sorry for your loss and the pain you are going through.