Community Corner

Goodrich Quality Theaters: No Plans to Change Costume Policy After Colorado Theater Tragedy

A gunman opened fire in a Denver suburb theater, killing 12 people and injuring dozens during the midnight premiere of 'The Dark Knight Rises.'

Goodrich Quality 16 Theater on Jackson Road in Ann Arbor says it will not have any extra security measures in place this weekend after a 24-year-old gunman opened fire in a crowded movie theater near Denver, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.

General Manager Drew Buickma said his employees will be more dilligent and aware, however.

"We won't be doing anything differently other than requesting that patrons not wear face masks," he said. "We will continue to allow appropriate costumes for the opening of 'The Dark Knight Rises.' Our corporate office is reviewing all of its policies under advisement with local, state and federal safety officials. Safety of our patrons will continue to be a high priority."

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

According to officials and media reports, the Denver suspect walked into the movie theater through a back exit door that was propped open with a rifle and several other guns. He is being initially identified as James Holmes, from the Denver suburb of Aurora, according to the Today Show.

Michigan private establishments—such as movie theaters, day care centers, churches, and other businesses—can prohibit you from carrying a pistol. If it is not specifically prohibited by the establishement, open carrying is allowed if the seating capacity is under 2,500.

Find out what's happening in Dexterwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

A Denver police spokesman this morning told Matt Lauer that 10 people died inside the theater and two more died at a local hospital. The spokesman also said the condition of those injured ranges from minor to serious. He said "early indications" are that the gunman acted alone.

Holmes is suspected of entering a movie theater in Aurora dressed all in black, carrying a rifle and handgun and wearing a bullet proof vest and gas mask around 12:30 a.m., where the new Batman film "The Dark Knight Rises," was being screened, and opening fire, the Huffington Post reports.

In the third installment of the Batman trilogy, a villan named Bane wears a bullet-proof vest and gas mask.

Mike Mihalich, owner of said his theater will review whether or not it would allow patrons to come dressed in costume as well as if it would continue to offer midnight screenings of new movie releases.

"I think the costume thing is something we will very well ban, but it's something we're talking about internally now," he said. "But look, if this guy would have walked in dressed as GI Joe and walked into the lobby at a 10 a.m. or 4 p.m. show, he would certinally draw attention and he would certainly be stopped and questioned by staff. At midnight, when the building is full - we had buildings last night with 3,000 people and many of them were dressed in costume - it would be much easier for him to fit in with that crowd unnoticed."

The Huffington Post reported that Warner Brothers had canceled its 'Dark Knight' Paris premeire because of the violence in Colorado.

Buickma said while he doesn't expect a drop in ticket sales this weekend, he wouldn't be surprised if some people chose to stay home from the movies.

"Ticket sales for yesterday and today have been lighter than I expected," he said. "If I had to guess, it's because of this gorgeous weather and the Ann Arbor Art Fair."


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here