“The Dark Knight Rises” was off to a great start at the box office with midnight screenings breaking “Avengers” numbers. But at about 12:39AM, a lone gunman stormed a theater in Aurora, Colorado tragically killing at least 12 people and wounding 50.

A suspect, James Holmes, is in custody. The 24-year-old was wearing a bullet-proof vest as he opened fire after releasing what appeared to be a canister of tear gas.

It is a very real possibility this may affect the movie’s opening box office today and this weekend, Deadline notes. “Not what you expect to happen when you’re waiting in line to go to the blockbuster film of the summer,” one local TV anchor told viewers.

Warner Bros released a statement saying it was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy. It has also cancelled tonight’s French premiere of the film.

http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/dark-knight-rises-banks-25m-pre-sales-and-85-ticket-sales-more-b-o-records-scalpers-brinks-trucks-than-avengers/

http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/warner-bros-deeply-saddened-by-colorado-shooting-during-its-dark-knight-rises-screening/

http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/07/20/12854157-officials-name-alleged-gunman-in-colorado-theater-shooting