Warner Bros. has cancelled today’s red carpet premiere in Paris at the Gaumont theater in light of the events of the Aurora shooting, where during a midnight showing of the studio’s new film The Dark Knight Rises, a gunman opened fire. The shooting, which occurred last night at the Century 16 Movie Theaters at the Aurora Town Center, located about 10 miles from Denver, CO, left 12 people dead and 59 others wounded.

Director Christopher Nolan, along with stars Christian Bale, Anne Hathaway, and Morgan Freeman, were at the hotel Le Bristol in Paris, France, to promote the film and were scheduled to appear today at a news conference, but that was been cancelled, as has several other media interviews with the cast and crew.

Warner Bros. released the following statement after last night’s shooting:

“Warner Bros. is deeply saddened to learn about this shocking incident. We extend our sincere sympathies to the families and loved ones of the victims at this tragic time.”

A total of 71 people were wounded last night after a masked gunman set off tear gas during a midnight showing of the film, then opened fire on the attendees. Twelved people were confirmed dead. The suspect, James Holmes, 24, a former University of Colorado medical school student, was apprehended by police on the scene and reportedly said he was “the Joker, enemy of Batman.” He did not resist arrest. The shooting occurred about 20 minutes into the film, which is the third and final installment of director Christopher Nolan’s Batman film series, during a part of the movie with smoke, gunshots, and commotion, making it even harder for the moviegoers to ascertain what was really happening. FBI soon after found explosives in the suspect’s apartment.

New York City police commissioner Ray Kelly announced that police coverage will be provided within NYC’s five boroughs at movie theaters where The Dark Knight Rises is playing as a precaution against copycats.

[THR | ScreenRant]