Media Descends Upon Crystal Lake as Larimer Family Grieves

News trucks with towering antennaes lined Cedar Crest Drive in Crystal Lake on Saturday as word spread throughout the country of the death of U.S. Navy Cryptologic Technician 3rd Class John T. Larimer.

Occasionally, a neighbor or relative stopped by the Larimer's Crystal Lake house, where a U.S. flag hung by the front door.

Mostly the scene was somber and quiet.

The Larimer family had issued a statement earlier Saturday to the press which included a request "the family and friends of John be allowed time and privacy to grieve for John." 

Scott Larimer, John's father, said Saturday morning he and his wife had only received official notification of their 27-year-old son's death late Friday night, nearly 24 hours after the shooting. They were awaiting details from the U.S. Navy about how their son's body would be returned home. 

Still, reporters and cameramen sat outside the Larimer home, waiting for anyone to emerge and hoping for an additional statement regarding the loss of John. John Larimer, who joined the Navy only a year ago, graduated from Crystal Lake South High School and was among the fatalities in the midnight massacre at "The Dark Knight Rises" opening showing in Aurora, Col.

The sailor was one of 12 people killed when the alleged gunman, 24-year-old James Holmes, kicked through a back door at the Century 16 movie complex and began shooting. Holmes currently is held in the Arapaho County Jail and is expected to appear in court on Monday.

Noel Larimer was in Denver on Saturday to help bring his brother home, the family said in its statement.  

In all 70 people were injured in the attack.

Ten victims died inside the theater. John was one of them, his father said Saturday. Two more people died at the hospital, and 30 more were hospitalized for treatment. Of those, 11 were listed in critical condition, authorities said. 

Among the deceased was Air Force Staff Sgt. Jesse Childress, 29, a reservist and cyber systems operator, according to the Army Times. Both Larimer and Childress were stationed at Buckley Air Force Base, located about five miles from the movie theater, the Army Times reported.

Another sailor was treated at the scene and released. Three other sailors escaped injury, the Army Times stated.

The Department of Defense issued a statement saying it was "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."