The man suspected of carrying out the Colorado movie theater shooting, wearing an outfit of black ballistic gear, was a 24-year-old Phi Beta Kappa graduate student in neuroscience who started buying his four weapons legally in May.
James Eagan Holmes, from San Diego, was a graduate student in the neuroscience program at the University of Colorado Medical School campus in Aurora, a university spokesman told NBC News. He was in the process of withdrawing from school, the university confirmed.
Weapon purchases started in May
Four weapons were found at the scene, Oates said.
- Two were handguns, made by Glock. Both were 40-caliber. At least one of those was used, the police chief said.
- One shotgun, a Remington model 870, one of the most popular models. Pump action, single barrel.
- And one Smith and Wesson AR-15 type rifle, called by some an "assault rifle." These weapons can accommodate large ammunition "clips," but authorities have not yet said what kind of magazines were at the scene.
The purchase place and dates are still being traced, and the chief said he didn't know yet if Holmes had the weapons legally. Officials later told NBC News that all four were purchased legally, beginning in May.
