Holmes as Anti-Social

James Eagen Holmes

Batman The Dark Knight Rises Shooting

Anti-Social Personality Disorder

Emily Hamby

June 20, 2012 a mass shooting occurred in a movie theater in Aurora Colorado, during the premiere of The Dark Knight Rises. A single gunman dressed in black tactial clothing set off tear gas and shot into the audience with multiple firearms. The gunman named as James Eagen Holmes, killing 12 people and injured 70 others. Holmes was later arrested outside the cinema, he had dyed his hair red/orange in color and referred to himself as “The Joker”. Prior to the shooting Holmes had been seen by at least 3 mental health professionals, 2 psychologists and 1 psychiatrist. He had been said to be mentally ill and could be dangerous. One month prior to the shooting one psychiatrist Dr Lynne Fenton reported to campus police he had made several homicidal statements which indicated a treat. Yet it is unknown as to why she decided not to have him hospitalized for saying he wanted to kill people. His mental diagnosis before and after the shooting has not been made public, and he is still waiting for trial after pleading not guilty by reason of insanity on June, 4 2013.

I think he may be dealing with Anti Social Personality Disorder. Compared with Ted Bundy a known serial killer with the same mental illness. Holmes was born to a mathematician/scientist and registered nurse. Like Bundy, Holes was a smart indivual receiving an undergraduate degree in neuroscience with the highest honors. Graduating in the top 1% and was accepted as a Ph.D student in neuroscience. Holmes represents 5 of the AntiSocial Personality Disorder. First, failure to conform to social norms, he was reported as uncommunicative and socially inept. Secondly, deception or use of aliases, he referred to himself as “The Joker” before and after his shooting spree. Third and fourth, aggressive and reckless towards the safety of self or others, he shown his aggression to other students prior to the...