Officials trying to address security concerns after Colorado ‘Dark Knight Rises’ shooting, Paris premiere cancelled

The shootings at an Aurora, Colorado theater early Friday morning during a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises has theaters across the country scrambling to figure out how to deal with security this weekend. Theaters will be packed with people trying to see the film, which is easily the most anticipated movie of the summer and officials are trying to make sure what happened in Colorado doesn’t happen again.

The Los Angeles Times reports that the LAPD had sent officers around to several theaters in the area just to be safe. However, they found no cause for concern.

“There's nothing that suggests that there's anything sinister planned beyond what happened in Colorado," Sgt. Enrique Mendoza told the LA Times. “What happened in Colorado appears to be an anomaly, an isolated incident.”

NYPD is going to be very cautious in New York City, with plans to send out more officers to theaters in the city. As a precaution against copycats and to raise the comfort levels among movie patrons in the wake of the horrendous shooting in Colorado, the New York City Police Department is providing coverage at theaters where the The Dark Knight Rises is playing in the five boroughs," Police Commissioner Ray Kelly told the media.

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg said that the shootings, which resulted in the death of 12 people, show that something has to be done in regards to gun control and that it is not just a big city problem. “But guns – get back to Aurora – this is killing people every day, and it’s growing and it’s not just an inner-city, east coast, west coast, big city phenomenon. Aurora is not a big city,” the mayor said on WORS.

Meanwhile Reuters is reporting that organizers have decided to cancel the film’s Paris premiere, which was set to take place Friday night. One French TV station had plans to air pre-recorded interviews with the film’s stars, but has pulled that program.

Both President Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney have issued statements on the situation.

“We share the shock and sadness of everyone in the motion picture community at the news of this terrible event,” MPAA chief executive Chris Dodd added. “We extend our prayers and deepest sympathies to the victims, their loved ones and all those affected by this tragedy."

The shooting took place just before 1am. Twelve people were killed and 50 were injured. The suspect has been identified as James Holmes.