Drop-out PhD student who massacred 12 at Batman movie screening looked like and said he was the

dailymail.co.uk ^ | 20 July, 2012 | Jill Reilly and Lydia Warren

[marktwain]

The reclusive drop-out PhD student behind the Dark Knight screening shooting spree said he was 'The Joker' after he carried out his horrific attack, it has been revealed.

James Holmes, 24, had painted his hair red to resemble Batman's arch nemesis before firing into the crowded theatre in Aurora, Colorado, according to New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

'It clearly looks like a deranged individual,' Kelly said of the shooter at a news conference, CBS reported. 'He had his hair painted red. He said he was "The Joker", obviously the enemy of Batman.'

A neighbour also reported that police, who were searching Holmes's apartment for explosives, asked him if he had seen 'a white guy with crazy hair, possibly dyed unnatural colors', the Denver Post said.

It has also emerged that Holmes, who is accused of killing 12 and injuring as many as 59 in the shooting, had been studying at the University of Colorado's medical campus until June this year.

But neighbours at university housing in Denver described Holmes as a recluse who kept himself to himself. One student said: 'No one knew him. No one.'

Holmes - who had been working towards his PhD for a year before dropping out - had one song blaring from his stereo in the hours before the massacre and left the music on repeat in his booby-trapped apartment as he departed to commit the massacre.

His shocked mother confirmed that he was behind the massacre, telling reporters: 'You've got the right man.'

[Oztrich Boy]

Hasn’t the Joker’s hair been green since he was introduced?

Looks like it.

[bgill]

I can’t help but wonder if the shooter called his mother just before the shooting

With his mother telling the police they had the right guy, then she knew something. It seems she was contacted very soon afterward (unlike Trayvon's dad) so if that was what happened, all they'd have to do is check his phone for the last person called. Very, very horrific.