UPDATED: Tragic Shooting in Colorado Hasn't Deterred Local Moviegoers

News that a gunman opened fire in an Aurora, CO, movie theater during a midnight screening of The Dark Knight Rises last night, killing 12 and wounding dozens, shocked the nation and prompted police in some areas to step up patrols around movie complexes. 

AMC Theatres, meanwhile, has just announced a new policy prohibiting fans from wearing masks, costumes or carrying fake weapons to the movies following reports that the assailant entered the Colorado theater wearing a tactile vest and a gas mask.

In Niantic, however, people aren't worried. The East Lyme Police Station is directly opposite the s, so the place is more or less under constant surveillance.

Although everyone had heard the news, it hasn't deterred local moviegoers either. 

"It was tragic, awful and your heart goes out to everyone involved," said Carole Cones. "But you keep doing the things you love and I come to this theater all the time."

Spencer Ward, 17, of Old Lyme was at the theater to buy three tickets to see The Dark Knight Rises this afternoon. "It's really sad and it's a little scary," he said. But he didn't have any reservations about going to see the latest Batman film.

"We don't anticipate or expect anything to happen here," said East Lyme Police Sarg. Joe San Juan. "But you have to be aware. Everybody thinks it's not going to happen to them."

"Our officers are going to be alert and we ask the public to be vigilant if something seems out of place," he said. "We'd rather go there before and find nothing than go there afterward and find the type of carnage they did last night." 

Governor Dannel P. Malloy has announced that, in response to a proclamation from President Barack Obama, all U.S. and state flags in Connecticut will fly at half-staff until sunset on July 25, 2012 honoring the victims of the tragic shooting in Colorado.

“What happened in Colorado is a traumatic and terrible event—the  victims and their families are in our prayers today, and our thoughts are with the people of Colorado. We join them in their anguish and their outrage at this
senseless act of violence, and offer our support during this very difficult
time.”

President Obama’s proclamation and remarks are available at  www.WhiteHouse.gov.