JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Witnesses say 24-year-old James Holmes didn't put up a fight when he was arrested outside the Aurora, Colorado movie theater, where police say he shot 71 people, killing 12 of them.
For a closer look inside Holmes's psyche, we went to local attorney and former FBI agent, Dale Carson.
Action News asked him, "The main question a lot of people are asking today is what kind of person does this?" Carson replied, "Clearly someone who's angry." He went on to say, "Anger is a principal motivating factor behind this conduct."
He said the typical profile of a mass murderer is someone with low self-esteem, someone who is unable to metabolize their anger. And he says its quite possible, Holmes chose such a public venue because he was looking to make a name for himself.
"This will go down in history as one of the worst theater openings that ever occurred," said Carson.
Action News asked, "Do you think this is something this guy had planned?" Carson replied, "I think it required some sophisticated planning. For example, he selected a venue that was densely populated. It was late at night. I mean, all the advantages, frankly, accrued to him."
Police say Holmes acted alone. However, his motive is still unknown. What would lead a 24-year-old doctoral student to murder? Carson says we may never know for sure. "Typically we find that it's not explainable in ordinary terms to us, because it's not something that any one of us would ever think of engaging in."
