Social media responds to the Aurora shooting
Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott took to Twitter to share her thoughts for the Aurora shooting victims.
In the wake of the gut-wrenching murders during a midnight premiere ofThe Dark Knight Rises in Aurora, Colo., people nationwide have been looking for answers.
Twelve victims are confirmed dead with dozens more wounded.
When 24-year-old James Holmes entered the theater armed with an assault rifle and other weapons, it marked a turning point in American history not dissimilar to the 1999 Columbine High School and 2007 Virginia Tech shootings.
The heinous crime has lead to large amounts of public discourse. Debates about lax gun-control laws (all the guns were purchased legally) have intensified. According to authorities, Holmes was able to purchase 6,000 rounds of ammunition online.
Naturally, in our shock and awe of the crime, we took to social media to express our feelings about the tragic news.
In fact, the advent and subsequent rise of social media -- Twitter, in particular -- has changed not only the way we learn about certain tragedies but how we respond to them.
Thoughts on Twitter ranged from despair to hope and above all disbelief.
Some were just in a state of shock over the events.
Lissie Maurus -- @lissiemusic
"I don't really know how to put in words how terrifying this movie theatre shooting is.. My prayers are w/ the people and souls involved :(
"
Michael Smith -- @undecided
"Like all of you this theatre shooting still has me sick, in shock. They just went to the movies, man. Praying for victims, families, Aurora."
Luke -- @CoolerHand_Luke
"Absolutely #speechless bout this Colorado theatre shooting. People are so sick. #PRAY
"
Others were angry at the suspect, while some thought of the victims.
Akhink Omer -- @Akhink
"Call him what he is...a TERRORIST! #Colorado #shooting"
Beverley Mitchell -- @beverleymitchel
"with all the media attention of James Holmes. wouldn't be nice to celebrate the brave men and women who stepped up to become heroes instead!"
Brat Problems -- @brat_problems
"Please remember the VICTIMS names. Not the sick criminal. Don't tweet his name!!! #Colorado #Aurora"
Many spoke about the gun-control debate that is sure to continue in the coming weeks.
George Zachary -- @georgezachary
"The list of US mass shootings since 2005 is ... 62 pages long. When will we get a clue and effect gun control?
"
Piers Morgan -- @piersmorgan
"More Americans will buy guns after this, to defend themselves, and so the dangerous spiral descends. When/how does it stop? #Colorado"
Justin McElroy -- @JustinMcElroy
"Gun control is important. But focusing on creating a kinder, saner, less violent society seems a lot healthier.
"
Joe Kabyemela -- @JoeKaby
"#Gun-control in America? Forlorn hope.Sadly, it is a case of 'genie out of the bottle'. Unfathomable tragedy.
"
Hope and prayers were also a common theme.
Heather Lindsey -- @HeatherLLove
"My heart is broken for those that lost loved ones in the shooting in Aurora, CO at the movie theatre this AM. Completely saddened. #pray"
Hillary Scott -- @HillaryScottLA
"Praying continually for the families and victims in the Aurora, Colorado shooting; to feel God's arms around them every moment of every day."
Finally, author Elinor Lipman offered a poignant 140-character verse.
Elinor Lipman -- @ElinorLipman
"Founding Fathers, granting rights/Did not imagine movie nights/Where crazies kill in murder sprees/Thank NRA for guns like these #Aurora"
Terrance Ross is a Summer 2012 USA TODAY Collegiate Correspondent. Learn more about him here.
This story originally appeared on the USA TODAY College blog, a news source produced for college students by student journalists. The blog closed in September of 2017.