Revisiting my week in Aurora via Twitter archive: From first on scene to follow-up
One year later, and I think it's a good time to allow myself to look back for a reminder of what it was like to cover the tragedy we are all remembering today.
I happened to be scheduled on-call the night of the theater shooting. It's a night I'll never forget. I hadn't quite gotten into REM sleep. I answered the phone just a few minutes after the shooting had occurred, but we didn't know what was going on-- only that it sounded bad and that it seemed like every ambulance in the metro area was heading there.
By the time I sent my first bleary-eyed tweet of the night, we were fairly certain that we were dealing with a mass shooting, but we didn't want to sound a false alarm. I also made a typo on I-225.
By the time Scott Wright and I arrived to set up the first live shot, we had confirmed at least the type of incident we were dealing with, so I made up a hashtag that would make a LOT of repeat appearances:
It was here that I started interviewing people who'd been in the theaters. Scott and I provided the first broadcast live shot from the scene. We flew solo for about 20 minutes. As more of the 9NEWS team showed up, we started to get official information, which in the initial chaos had some errant numbers.
On my way back from the first press conference with police, I snapped this photo that will be forever seared into my brain:
The national interest was immediate:
We spent a lot of time trying to confirm or deny what people inside the theater thought they saw.
And then came the other shoe:
The next day, I was sent to the suspect's apartment:
...and ended up on a white-knuckled chase of the motorcade heading to the bomb range.
Then, President Obama decided to visit the grief-stricken community.
And we all got our first look at a suspect that gave us more questions than answers.
The newsroom returned to "normal," as newsrooms eventually must.
But the experience is one that will be with us for the rest of our lives.
I feel for the people who witnessed the violence firsthand, and I'm proud we were able to do our part to inform the community at a time of incomprehensible horror.
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By the time I sent my first bleary-eyed tweet of the night, we were fairly certain that we were dealing with a mass shooting, but we didn't want to sound a false alarm. I also made a typo on I-225.
Something bad has happened at an Aurora movie theater near I-25 & Alameda. Working on solid info. Lots of ambulances & PD.
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 20, 2012
By the time Scott Wright and I arrived to set up the first live shot, we had confirmed at least the type of incident we were dealing with, so I made up a hashtag that would make a LOT of repeat appearances:
On scene at #TheaterShooting in Aurora. Tons of emg vehicles. pic.twitter.com/gu5TEXOA
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 20, 2012
It was here that I started interviewing people who'd been in the theaters. Scott and I provided the first broadcast live shot from the scene. We flew solo for about 20 minutes. As more of the 9NEWS team showed up, we started to get official information, which in the initial chaos had some errant numbers.
On my way back from the first press conference with police, I snapped this photo that will be forever seared into my brain:
Tragic night in Aurora. 14 dead in #TheaterShooting. This pic helps show how chaotic: pic.twitter.com/egN4dUxN
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 20, 2012
The national interest was immediate:
About to talk w/ Matt Lauer on NBC today show about #TheaterShooting
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 20, 2012
We spent a lot of time trying to confirm or deny what people inside the theater thought they saw.
One witness thinks accomplice in 1st row helped #TheaterShooting suspect get in thru emg. exit. Will ask PD at 11MT.
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 20, 2012
And then came the other shoe:
#TheaterShooting story just gets crazier. Doz. ppl dead. Suspect has a booby trapped apt. that could take "days" to disarm.
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 20, 2012
There appears to be some media interest in the Aurora #TheaterShooting. Photo: pic.twitter.com/77jX7e7e
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 20, 2012
After providing 1st live shot from Aurora #TheaterShooting 12hrs ago, Scott & I are heading in. Follow @9NEWS for more.
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 20, 2012
The next day, I was sent to the suspect's apartment:
8 motorcycle officers arrived, sounds like they'll escort evidence from #TheaterShooting suspect apt. pic.twitter.com/ggpLiOT1
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 21, 2012
...and ended up on a white-knuckled chase of the motorcade heading to the bomb range.
Exclusive PHOTO: Material from booby traps at #TheaterShooting suspect's home being destroyed. pic.twitter.com/8wFlRRNP
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 22, 2012
Then, President Obama decided to visit the grief-stricken community.
AF1 lands at Buckley AFB with a backdrop of dark skies, in a dark time for Colorado. #TheaterShooting #POTUS pic.twitter.com/B0uGjhsk
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 22, 2012
PHOTO: Aurora PD Chief Dan Oates reflects a moment before greeting #POTUS. #TheaterShooting. pic.twitter.com/OdfXnWEH
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 22, 2012
Obama: I spoke to vics, "not so much as President, but as a father & a husband." #TheaterShooting
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 23, 2012
And we all got our first look at a suspect that gave us more questions than answers.
#TheaterShooting suspect makes 1st court appearance in 30min. Big effort to bring it to you @9NEWS pic.twitter.com/FIDnOgU1
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 23, 2012
Never heard a judge say it like that before: "clearly" no bail for #TheaterShooting suspect. pic.twitter.com/ngFOgm7P
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 23, 2012
@bwillie unwinds after shooting court pool. pic.twitter.com/kG1H1vQg
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 23, 2012
The newsroom returned to "normal," as newsrooms eventually must.
Finally getting back to having our regular AM meeting @9NEWS. 1st since #TheaterShooting pic.twitter.com/c4FRV9C7
— Brandon Rittiman (@BrandonRittiman) July 24, 2012
But the experience is one that will be with us for the rest of our lives.
I feel for the people who witnessed the violence firsthand, and I'm proud we were able to do our part to inform the community at a time of incomprehensible horror.