7/20 Theater Shooting Aurora, Colorado July 20, 2012 - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

7/20

Theater Shooting

Aurora, Colorado

July 20, 2012

CONFIDENTIAL

Surviving the Media Frenzy

THIS IS A CONFIDENTIAL BRIEFING IN REFERENCE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE MATERIAL

People v. Holmes Court-Imposed Gag Order: “… law enforcement officers shall not release or authorize the release of any extrajudicial statement for dissemination by means of public communication, if the law enforcement officers know or reasonably should know that it will have a substantial likelihood of prejudicing a criminal proceeding.”

THIS IS A CONFIDENTIAL BRIEFING IN REFERENCE TO LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE MATERIAL

People v. Holmes Court-Imposed Gag Order: “… law enforcement officers shall not release or authorize the release of any extrajudicial statement for dissemination by means of public communication, if the law enforcement officers know or reasonably should know that it will have a substantial likelihood of prejudicing a criminal proceeding.”

District Square Miles Population 1 19 125,497 2 100 88,233 3 53 121,375 Totals 172 335,105

City of Aurora Police Districts, Square Miles, and Population (2011)

LAW ENFORECEMENT SENSITIVE

LAW ENFORECEMENT SENSITIVE VIOLENT CRIMES 2011 2012 % Change Murder (C16 Victims) 12 29 (12) +141.7% Sex Assault (Rape) 186 179 (-3.8%) Robbery Incidents 515 483 (-6.2%) Aggravated Assault C16 Victims 754 802 (57) 6.4% Violent Crime Totals 1,467 1,493 +1.8%

City of Aurora Violent Crime Statistics 2011 and 2012 Including C16

LAW ENFORECEMENT SENSITIVE

Non-Fatal Shootings 2011 2012 % Change Shooting Incidents (C16 Event) 30 39 (1) 30.0% Shooting Victims (C16 Victims) 38 96 (57) 156.6%

City of Aurora Non-Fatal Shootings 2011 and 2012

Personnel (790 total):

670 Sworn Members 120 Civilian Members

Personnel (790 total):

670 Sworn Members 120 Civilian Members

2013 Budget

Total: $92,672,223.00

2013 Budget

Total: $92,672,223.00

Aurora Police Department Aurora Police Department

CONFIDENTIAL

 Two full-time PIO’s

• Sworn members

 Rotate 24 –hour on-call weekly – Friday

mornings

 PIOs are primary department spokespeople  PIO’s handle OISs, homicides, etc.  Chief will speak on personnel matters and few

• ther things – case by case

 Chief values PIO and has clear understanding

• f our role and the media’s role

Number used internally by PD and by

media to reach on-call PIO.

Has many benefits to include:

• Carrying only 1 phone
• Keeping personal number private
• Easily switch the phones for on-call
• Voicemail transcription

Some negative aspects were discovered that we will cover later

Denver market ranked number 17 4 Network Stations One Major Newspaper One Local Newspaper



Radio

LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE

CONFIDENTIAL

The Shooting

First 911 call 00:39 hours First call to on-call PIO 00:45 hours by

local CBS.

Second call few minutes later from local

NBC.

PIO called dispatch and got limited

information.

0110 hours PIO headed toward scene. Called PIO sergeant while en route Arrived on scene by 0120 hours

 Received first national media call at 0148 hours – They

do not stop for 3 days.

 First international call at 0221 hours.  Not really answering calls at this point because still

trying to solidify information.

 Determined first press briefing will be at 0315 hours.  Email and Tweet go out at 0249 announcing this

How many dead How many victims Public safety Reunification

location

• Managing the media
• Initial press briefing, 0315 hours outside theater
• Chief Oates and FBI SAC
• Message:
• Reassurance: competent initial response;

thorough investigation underway

• Apparently a lone gunman, who is in custody
• No indication of broader terrorism plot, but still

investigating

• Paris Street residence hazard
• Initial numbers on killed and injured
• Announce 11:00 a.m. briefing to follow
• Managing the media
• Initial press briefing, 0315 hours outside theater
• Chief Oates and FBI SAC
• Message:
• Reassurance: competent initial response;

thorough investigation underway

• Apparently a lone gunman, who is in custody
• No indication of broader terrorism plot, but still

investigating

• Paris Street residence hazard
• Initial numbers on killed and injured
• Announce 11:00 a.m. briefing to follow

After the initial press conference Ofc.

Fania responded to headquarters to write the first of only two press releases.

See that media is airing the phone number

to the front desk. THIS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION

Plans for EOC set up occur around 0530

hours

Former PIO arrives around 6:00 a.m. to

assist.

She is tasked with assisting with setting up

EOC and additional media lines.

A fellow metro area PIO is called in to help

manage phone lines.

Called in officer to run just the social media. Briefing at 1015 hours. with key players to

include top brass, investigators, FBI, ATF, city and state officials, District Attorney’s

• Office. Coordination of press conference.

Continued to put out Tweets announcing

reunification location (0500), phone lines

• nce set up (0715)

Also used Twitter when receiving a lot of

same question – i.e. release of 911 tapes (Tweet at 1021 hours)

Chief Oates and FBI SAC addressed

media on Paris Street briefly.

Worked with City Personnel to set up

media staging and location for future press conferences. On city property so that it was more convenient for city

• fficials.

Media lines up and running answering

calls.

Doing our best to monitor media.

 Top officials spoke  Details of the investigation are left primarily to

the Chief of Police throughout the incident.

 Elected officials talked about community,

safety, etc.

Organized staffing for coming days. Set

up schedule of area PIOs to work media phone lines.

7 p.m. press conference. Briefing with all the key players prior to

press conference. Same format of speakers.

Had PIOs watching live taking so we

could ensure a consistent message.

Following press conference bullet points

were sent out to media and posted on

• Facebook. This was a very valuable way
• f disseminating information and it was

continued throughout event.

Updated Media Points Updated at 2:30p.m. on July 20, 2012 General information on shooting

• 71 victims total – 12 of which are confirmed dead, 59 others injured.
• 10 victims died in the theater 2 died later at area hospitals.
• Victims were transported by police, ambulance and by personal vehicles to several

area hospitals.

• VICTIM IDENTIFICATION IS STILL IN PROCESS - THE FAMILIES OF THE VICTIMS HAVE

NOT YET BEEN NOTIFIED. Reasons being, this is still an active investigation at the crime scene.

• APD HAS NOT RELEASED ANY INFORMATION OR NAMES OF VICTIMS. We ask that

people respect the privacy of these families. Resources are being offered to victims and families.

• Police have interviewed over 200 witnesses. Police have not been able to verify all

witness statements at this time.

• In cooperation with the investigation, The Aurora Town Center decided to close for

the day.

SUSPECT

• James Eagen Holmes (12/13/87)
• No arrest booking photos will be released.
• AURORA criminal record consists of only a traffic summons.
• The suspect will not appear in court today. We anticipate this will be early next

week. ACTUAL SHOOTING INCIDENT

• How the suspect entered the theater is still under investigation.
• Any motive is still unknown.
• We are confident that the shooter acted alone. However we are following up on

all leads.

• The suspect deployed 2 devices in the theater. These devices released some

smoke or some sort of irritant.

• The suspect then opened fire.
• First officers were on scene within a minute and a minute and half of the first 911

call.

• Officers contacted Holmes outside of the movie theater by his car. He was

arrested without incident. There were 4 guns recovered, one of which was in the

• theater. The guns included AR 15, shotgun, and two handguns.
• He was outfitted in complete ballistic gear included a ballistic helmet, vest, shin

guards, groin and throat protector. He also had a gas mask.

SUSPECT’S RESIDENCE

• 1690 Paris Street, Aurora. Which is an apartment building and all residents have

been evacuated.

• Still a very active scene. Several local, state and federal agencies responded to initial

scene and remain active on the Paris Street Address.

• The apartment appears to be “booby trapped” therefore no entry has been made by

Law Enforcement. A robot was sent in and it appears there are several items and devices located within residence. ANTICIPATED UPDATES

• Press conference is set for 7 PM at the Aurora Municipal Center located at 15151 E

Alameda Pkwy in the southwest parking lot.

• If breaking news develops, media will be notified via Twitter (@aurorapd).
• Intermittent updates will be post on Twitter “@aurorapd” and Facebook “Aurora

Police Department”.

• No independent interviews will be conducted at this time.

PHONE NUMBERS

• Individuals wanting to report tips are asked to call Crime Stoppers at

720-913-STOP (7867).

• Public line for victims and witnesses – 303-739-1862.
• Media line 303-739-6103 and 303-739-6104.
• Disaster Resource and Recovery Center: Aurora Mental Health, Red

Cross, grief counseling and other resources will be available on site at Aurora Hinkley High School and Gateway High School or via community hotline (303-617-2300). STARTING TOMORROW, JULY 21, 2012, AT 9:00A.M.

• Further community resources will be made available and that

information will be disseminated to the public later today.

• Donations: Anyone wanting to donate please call 303-739-6346.

• Victims and family members
• 16:00 meeting Friday (Day 1) with families of

“missing”

• Recovery of bodies and death notifications
• Assignment of Victim Advocates to each family
• Names of deceased are starting to get out
• Victims and family members
• 16:00 meeting Friday (Day 1) with families of

“missing”

• Recovery of bodies and death notifications
• Assignment of Victim Advocates to each family
• Names of deceased are starting to get out

LAW ENFORECEMENT SENSITIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE

1690 N Paris St

Evacuation and Entry

1690 N Paris St

Evacuation and Entry

Photo - Denver Post

Arrived on scene at 0700. First media briefing at 0815. Used Twitter and Facebook all day to

push out updates on activity

Did not realize how much media was on

• scene. Not good staging area (took right

lane of Peoria – but decided not to move them because no good place to put them. Had to provide a patrol car to block lane.

LAW ENFORECEMENT SENSITIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE

1690 N Paris St

Evacuation and Entry

1690 N Paris St

Evacuation and Entry

Photo - Denver Post

Worked closely with key players on

scene about message and verbiage. (AFD,FBI and ATF about what was inside).

Twitter was instrumental in updating

public about controlled detonations, shut down of Peoria, reverse 911

Addressed media 3 different times on

• scene. Each time was followed by bullet

points that were sent out and posted by PIOs working at headquarters.

Suspect’s apartment secured around

noon.

Left scene to prepare for 2:00 p.m. press

briefing, which would be the last one

Discussed individual interviews with the

Chief - decided would occur on Sunday.

A competitive market Will approach and be very friendly –

trying to establish rapport

May even bring you gifts (i.e. cookies) May show up in your lobby Will ask for anything off the record Might even ask to meet with you off site!!!

• Sunday evening community memorial, 7/22
• Sunday evening community memorial, 7/22

First 72 Hours First 72 Hours

First Lady at Medical Center of Aurora-South

• n August 11, 2012

First Lady at Medical Center of Aurora-South

• n August 11, 2012

POTUS visited University of Colorado Hospital

• n July 23, 2012

POTUS visited University of Colorado Hospital

• n July 23, 2012
• POTUS Visit
• The “Invitation”
• Security
• Handling the deceased victims’ families
• Pre- and post-visit demands of White House staff
• POTUS Visit
• The “Invitation”
• Security
• Handling the deceased victims’ families
• Pre- and post-visit demands of White House staff

First Lady at Medical Center of Aurora-South

• n August 11, 2012

First Lady at Medical Center of Aurora-South

• n August 11, 2012

POTUS visited University of Colorado Hospital

• n July 23, 2012

POTUS visited University of Colorado Hospital

• n July 23, 2012

GAG ORDER FINALLY CAME MONDAY MORNING PRESS RELEASE ISSUED AT 6:30 P.M. ONCE WE RECEIVED THE ORDER SO THAT WE COULD ATTACH TO PRESS RELEASE.

Christian Bale visits July 24, 2012 Christian Bale visits July 24, 2012

Have plan in case another unrelated

event happens

• We notified duty lieutenant that they would be

handling media on any issue not related to the theater.

• We sent email to local news desks explaining

this.

Can’t possibly answer all calls. Our

phones were virtually useless because of calls.

Use Google Voice to your advantage

• select DO NOT DISTURB on Google Voice so

everything rolls to voicemail during critical times.

• Set up an automatic voicemail with pertinent

information for callers.

Voicemail should advise callers of where

information will be most up to date - Facebook and Twitter pages.

 Immediately set up a media only email (this is a

good tool for every day use. It allows for other users and easier to maintain a distribution list).

 Set up additional phones IMMEDIATELY. This

includes for media and people looking for family and friends.

 Our case is different because suspect in custody

so have to be careful about information released.

 Put local media before national – working

relationship and they will be here when the storm ends

Frequent media updates We released a lot of information – which

made the media and public happy

Bullet points of press conferences Twitter and Facebook (designated

person)

All PIO’s and agencies stayed in their

lanes

Tracked and keep record of all

communications

Used social media for rumor control to

include when reports of second suspect

Used Twitter multiple times to express

we are under a court order, but calls kept coming in for several more days.

One Lead Agency - Keep communication

• pen with other involved PIO’s (hospitals,

schools, fire, EMS, DA’s office, etc).

Family PIO Liaison Program – (Look for

this webinar in January).

Have people in place that you can call to

• assist. Through your organization or other
• PIOs. We couldn’t have done it without

ESPIOC.

Get other people trained (social media)

in your organization to help you when a major event hits. Have these people identified so that when something does happen, Chain of Command is already on board with them assisting you.

Training – mock scenarios; regional

training or with your own SWAT team, Table top exercises. GET INTO YOUR ROLE!

Social media skills Test the equipment (regularly) Treat a major event like your more

typical events… do those well, and you will handle a major event well!

 There are countless considerations when mass

tragedy hits your community.

 A lot of those may get handed to PIO’s office  Donations from community  Community wants to recognize efforts of officers

• 1,000 Nike Shirts show up addressed to PIO
• Flags
• Cartoon
• Tickets to distribute

 CORA Requests (Colorado Open Records Act)

• Designate 1 person to handle all and keep track of

requests

• Depends on state laws

The Chief assigned an agent full time to

Chief’s office to work solely on all things non-investigatory relating to the shooting.

• Returning items to victims
• Donations ($10,000 to our Explorers)
• “Thank you’s” and recognition to other agencies

and businesses.

• Award ceremony
• PowerPoint presentation on incident for Chief to

speak to

Recognizing Heroes Recognizing Heroes

• Managing the Case
• Division of labor with federal partners
• Assignment of personnel, full time and indefinitely
• Implications of possible Death Penalty
• Understanding state and federal legal processes
• Evidence and discovery issues
• Managing the Case
• Division of labor with federal partners
• Assignment of personnel, full time and indefinitely
• Implications of possible Death Penalty
• Understanding state and federal legal processes
• Evidence and discovery issues

• Employee reaction:

Police officers and civilian personnel Self-care during and after. Watch your people.

• Employee reaction:

Police officers and civilian personnel Self-care during and after. Watch your people.

12 Deceased 58 Injured

Healing Process:

Officers’ Reunions with Victims

• Self Care

Healing Process:

Officers’ Reunions with Victims

• Self Care

The Planned Distraction

LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE

Nationally syndicated artist Randy Bish Nationally syndicated artist Randy Bish

Jonathan Blunk, 26 A.J. Boik, 28 Jesse Childress, 29 Gordon Cowden, 51 Jessica Ghawi, 24 John Larimer, 27 Matt McQuinn, 27 Micayla Medek, 23 Veronica Moser-Sullivan, 6 Alex Sullivan, 27 Alex Teves, 23 Rebeca Wingo, 32

 Sgt. Cassidee Carlson ccarlson@auroragov.org

303-739-6093