James Holmes: Med Student Turned Shooting Suspect

New details about alleged movie theater shooter James Holmes continue to emerge as police investigate the midnight massacre at a “Dark Knight Rises” showing in Aurora, CO Friday morning.

Leading up to the horrific incident, Holmes, 24, was a medical student who recently dropped out of the Neuroscience program at the University of Colorado Medical Campus. The University of California, Riverside also confirmed that a “person by that name” graduated there with a BS in Neuroscience in Spring 2010.

He had no priors with the Aurora, CO police department, other than a 2011 traffic summons for speeding. He described himself as “quiet and easygoing” in a rental application obtained by the Denver Post.

Photo: Robert Holmes, the suspect's father, arrives in Colorado. Credit: TMZ.

James' family in California has spoken to the media, expressing their sympathy for the victims and their families. They told the AP that their “hearts go out to those involved.” His father, Robert, arrived in Colorado on Friday on a Southwest flight from San Deigo and his mother, Arlene, told ABC News, "You have the right person.”

It was a chilling scene at the theater when James opened fire on the sold-out theater. Police say 71 people were shot and 12 died.

“We have some information, most of it is public. It clearly looks like a deranged individual. He had his hair painted red, he said he was 'The Joker,' obviously the 'enemy' of Batman,” revealed New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to reporters at a news conference, although that has not been confirmed by Colorado authorities.

Police say the massacre began around 12:39 AM when the gunman entered through an exit door, dressed in black and wearing a gas mask, ballistic helmet and vest, and threw two tear gas canisters into the audience and then opened fire.

He was apprehended in possession of an AR-15 assault rifle, a Remington 12-gauge shotgun and a two .40 caliber Glock handguns. Holmes began purchasing the weapons legally in May at Bass Pro Shops and Gander Mountain Guns, according to ABC News.

Law enforcement apprehended Holmes near his white Hyundai in the theater parking lot after the incident. He did not resist arrest.

Photo: Police break James Holmes' apartment window. Credit: Getty Images.

The violence may not be over. A search of the suspect's residence is ongoing and may take days. The apartment, in a large complex, is confirmed to be booby-trapped with explosives. Five nearby buildings have been evacuated.