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New Details Emerging In Colorado Movie Theater Shooting

AURORA, Colo. (CBS) -- There are new details emerging in the movie theater mass shooting in Colorado.

Authorities are making progress in their investigation into the shooting that left at least 12 people dead early Friday morning.

Bomb crews in Colorado safely detonated the chemicals and accelerants they say James Holmes left for police in his Aurora apartment.

"This apartment was designed - I say, based on everything I've seen - to kill whoever entered it," said Chief Dan Oates, of the Aurora Police Department.

Police say the suspect's front door was fitted with a trip wire. Nearby, at least 30 shells - described as fireworks the size of softballs. A controlled explosion disabled a bomb inside Saturday afternoon.

Investigators also collected evidence outside the apartment, including a shipping label from an Internet store called Bulk-Ammo.com. Also, investigators are said to have a surveillance video of Holmes picking up about 160 pounds of ammunition at a federal express outlet.

They say Holmes spent $15,000 to build his arsenal of guns, chemicals, explosives and ammunition.

Holmes is being held in solitary confinement as he awaits a Monday morning court appearance.

The 24-year-old former grad student is accused of the early Friday morning massacre of moviegoers watching the midnight showing of the new "Batman" film, "The Dark Knight Rises."

Holmes has an attorney, and so far, is not talking to police. But just a day before the shooting, some of his neighbors say he did make an impression on them.

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Carl Allen lives across the street and spoke with Holmes Wednesday.

"He stood here and talked to us for a minute; he didn't say much," said Allen. "He just had a weird look in his eye."

Details are also coming out about the victims.

Moviegoer Alex Sullivan was celebrating his 27th birthday, and Sunday would have been his first wedding anniversary. Jessica Ghawi was an aspiring sportswriter and blogger.

Meanwhile, Annie Dalton is mourning her 6-year-old great niece, Veronica Moser-Sullivan. Her mother, 25-year-old Ashley, is still in the hospital.

"Her whole life has changed in a flash, for what? She still doesn't know her daughter's gone," said Dalton.

In a press release, the Arapahoe County Coroner's Office definitively identifies 11 of the 12 victims. In addition to Ghawi, Sullivan and Moser, the list includes:

  • John Larimer
  • Alexander Boik
  • Jesse Childress
  • Jonathan Blunk
  • Rebecca Wingo
  • Gordon Cowden
  • Micayla Medek
  • Alexander Teves

The Coroner's Office reports the cause of death in all cases is related to gunshot wounds.

Officials with the Coroner's Office say the other victim has been presumptively identified as Matthew McQuinn. He is reportedly a native of Ohio, originally Springfield, which is west of Columbus.

According to CBSDenver.com, McQuinn was killed after diving in front of his girlfriend and her older brother to shield them from the gunfire.

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