We're still reeling from the event that is plastered on every television screen in the nation. It's hard to believe that something so senseless and violent could happen anywhere, let alone in our city. There is much to grieve for. But even in this dark time, there are some things we are thankful for.
We're told that police responded to the theater within 90 seconds of receiving the call. One of the first to arrive was our friend and neighbor, Lt. Jad Lanigan. He was only an intersection away in his cruiser.
He was also the Watch Commander that night. That means he was calling the shots and making the split-second decisions. It's his voice you've heard on the news, calling for gas masks, ambulances, and backup.
We're thankful that he was so close. We're thankful that James Holmes didn't put up a fight. With all the defensive gear he was outfitted in and all the firepower he had, I imagine he could have waged a lengthy gun battle with police, and we'd likely have lost even more lives.
We're thankful that the FBI has made it into the apartment without any explosions. We're thankful that with 71 people injured in the attack that there weren't more fatalities.
It's an awful thing that has happened. But it could have happened anywhere. We don't believe the actions of one madman say anything about our community as a whole. Aurora is a large city: the third largest in Colorado. There are nice areas and there are not-so-nice areas. But at a time like this, we can all come together and support one another.
That's the opportunity we are presented with now. We believe Aurora will pull through.
