AURORA, Colo. (AP) – Pastor Chris Hill’s suburban Denver church has become a place where shooting victims and first responders have found counselling and peace in the years since a masked gunman opened fire on a nearby movie theater.
He and others say there will be a greater need for such havens with opening statements set for Monday in the trial of James Holmes.
Graphic details, kept from the public by a court’s gag order, will surface during testimony, which counselors say could trigger flashbacks, nightmares and other traumatic responses that test the mental health support networks Colorado has tried to strengthen since 12 people were killed and 70 others were wounded during a midnight screening of “The Dark Knight Rises.”
“You can almost feel the community holding its breath,” Hill said.
Pierce O’Farrill, shot three times in the attack, anticipates testifying and is bracing. He thought would die on the theater floor, his face surreally covered with popcorn. O’Farrill has relied on faith and counseling to get through.