Aurora theater reopens after shooting

AURORA, Colo. -- The movie theater where a gunman killed 12 people and wounded dozens of others was reopened Thursday with a private ceremony for victims, first responders and officials.

Gov. John Hickenlooper acknowledged that some victims and their families didn't want the theater to reopen. But he said that for those who attended Thursday's ceremony, it was the path to healing.

Theater owner Cinemark plans to reopen the entire 16-screen complex in Aurora temporarily today, then permanently on Jan. 25.

Pierce O'Farrill said it was important for him to return to the theater and sit in the same seat where he sat July 20, when a gunman opened fire during a midnight showing of "The Dark Knight Rises."

The remembrance ceremony included a private screening of the fantasy film "The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey."

Several families boycotted what they called a callous public relations ploy by the theater's owner, Cinemark. They claimed the Texas-based company -- which has been publicly silent since the shooting -- didn't ask them what should happen to the theater.

They said Cinemark emailed them an invitation to yesterday's reopening just two days after they struggled through Christmas without their loved ones.

"It was boilerplate Hollywood -- 'Come to our movie screening,' " said Anita Busch, whose cousin, 23-year-old college student Micayla Medek, died at the theater.

Others, like Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan, said the event was part of the healing process and that many residents wanted to see the theater back up and running.