At least 14 people have been shot dead and up to 50 injured after a man went on a gun rampage at a screening of The Dark Knight Rises.
The horror happened at a midnight showing of the new Batman movie, starring Christian Bale, near Denver, Colorado on Friday.
Early reports suggested a man wearing body armour threw tear gas or smoke bombs into the crowded cinema in the town of Aurora before opening fire.
Officials confirmed 14 people have died and up to 50, including four children, have been taken to hospital.
A suspect has been taken into custody and cops have launched a search for explosives in a nearby car park.