Aurora Police Are Defusing James Holmes' Apartment
Law enforcement officials are starting the process of defusing booby traps set up in James Holmes apartment, though it could still take a few days to diffuse the massive network of tripwires and explosives he set up before leaving for the Aurora movie theater.
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Aurora police, with help from the F.B.I. and a collection of other agencies, began the process of entering Holmes apartment on Saturday morning. They released a three point plan on Saturday morning for how they plan on tackling the complex apartment. Aurora police confirmed Saturday morning they were able to get past the first threat inside the apartment. Police were worried diffusing the first trip wire might trigger an explosion, but as far as we know things went off without a hitch. According to The Denver Post's Dana Coffield, the tripwire was "set to detonate and kill anyone who entered [Holmes'] apt."
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Holmes left a complex series of wiring and tripwires in his apartment. Per the city's plan, a robot will safely remove 30 "various devices" and 30 aerial shells from his apartment, police officials will transport them to a safe area for detonation. From this CNN report, we can get a better idea of what law enforcement officials are facing:
"Jars of black powder" and what appear to be "liquid accelerants" attached to the explosive devices are also inside Apartment 10, another law enforcement official said. "He placed other chemicals to enhance fire/thermal effect of IEDs," the official added about Holmes' apartment.
Police Chief Daniel Oates described entering the apartment as a "very vexing problem" when speaking with reporters on Friday. "I personally have never seen anything like what the pictures show us is in there," he said. Oates was with the NYPD for 21 years. Holmes apparently triggered the apartment to start playing loud techno music once he left around midnight. Police officials said Holmes' bombs were made with "a level of expertise, not crude." Some of the jars look like they're holding improvised napalm, and certain canisters look like mortar shells, according to CNN's report, but on Saturday morning police wouldn't confirm what any of the substances inside the apartment are.
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The Wall Street Journal has a good live blog for updates from police and local media.
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