Police Radio Audio Starting with First Dispatch to Aurora, Colorado Shooting at Century 16 Theater

WARNING: AUDIO IS INTENSE AND INCLUDES DESCRIPTION OF TRAUMA TO SOME VICTIMS. Audio is provided for public safety personnel and citizens to understand the timing factors, and early decisions made as an emergency situation/mass casualty situation is realized and acted on -- including finding and arresting a suspect or suspects, determining the number of casualties, triage of victims' injuries, organizing a proper response of police, fire, and medical personnel, securing the public from further danger, and securing the scene for investigation.
Communications involving suspect James Holmes custody immediately following the shooting begins following at about 06:54 elapsed time.
See also ...
www.arlingtoncardinal.com/?p=5... (article with more details)
/ cardinalemergencies (FIRE-RESCUE-EMS page)
The audio feeds and recordings from www.radioreference.com are released under a Creative Commons License. Some rights reserved.
For more information, please see Creative Commons -- Attribution 3.0 United States
creativecommons.org/licenses/b...

[@richievts]

That dispatcher needs a medal. Calm, professional, precise and quick to the point. They couldn't of asked for a better operative. Sounds like the cops did a great job.

[@mekongdevil]

They just did their job huh =0

[@thedish5]

Agree. Very stressful job. Many folks don't know how much they are actually doing when not speaking into the mic. Coordinating and keeping track of officers on garbled radio transmissions, and responding units on 4+ monitors and several channels while ensuring accountability of all responding units. It's actually quite a feat to remain calm and keep in control.

[@johncrowley5702]

+mekongdevil just doing their job???? Really whats your stressful job? Asking paper or plastic

[@88tylerb22]

Skippy the punk They're the people who your life depends on when you're in trouble.

[@Muthafukinhippy]

BIG FACTS

[@hodgeschris]

That dispatcher is the very definition of professional.

[@iamking7134]

This dispatcher is a great model for enormous calm under even more enormous pressure.

[@angelaellis2258]

Aghkk

[@johnnyida3241]

The dispatcher deserves A RAISE

[@4wheelerDJ]

And a promotion, if possible.

[@overpalmer]

Kudos to the dispatcher. I've heard MANY dispatchers over 17 years, and she is one of, if not the best.

[@robertemmer6300]

I couldn't agree more. What a special person. She can never be recognized enough for how well she handled this. I too have been listening to scanners, over 20 years now. She is by far the best I have ever heard. Also I believe the Police NEVER get enough recognition for what they do for us. I can only imagine what they saw that day that caused and may continue to cause nightmares for them. Sad, sad day.

[@SuperRasta77]

@@robertemmer6300 ditto

[@ratherbecampin]

This dispatcher is a BOSS!!!!!

[@werewolfboy13]

She is!

[@MzWonderful2005]

She's amazing! How she was able to remain calm and handle all that traffic is beyond me!

[@valeriehessler2292]

MzWonderful2005 she stayed calm because a shooting in Aurora is just another typical night in Aurora. They have shootings there all the time and so they are very used to shots fired calls. It wasn't until they figured out the exact nature of the shooting that they realized how serious it was. Aurora Police and their dispatchers are an incredible group of people. I know cops who responded to this call. They are incredible people and all praise their dispatchers for how calm they stayed and how much it helped them as officers remain calm.

[@Vindicator58]

MzWonderful2005 She is good. But all professionals are. She is a true professional and the type I always appreciate.

[@RacerMurray]

The dispatch is great. God bless her and all involved

[@RaymondFuller27]

The dispatcher you are hearing broke down afterwards because she felt helpless. They transferred her to fire dispatch for a while until she is comfortable again. I don't want to give her name but she is a HERO! She will get help for it and hopefully she will realize how professional and how much the city of Aurora and around the world appreciate her and all dispatchers for their courageous and their ability to stay calm during tense situations. Gunnery Sgt. Fuller U.S.M.C.

[@ritapitasunshine]

Dsrazstuntdriver she is amazing

[@MarinePigVa]

I know this is many years later but if you still have contact with her, relay she was a fucking rock star that night.

[@mucprinrb]

Dispatcher did a fantastic job.

[@FloozieOne]

I agree that the dispatcher did a fantastic job, but listen to the cops; none of them are freaking out except when asking for ambulances for the seriously wounded and that is out of concern not fear. They must have been seeing some indescribably horrible things but they aren't letting it distract them in trying to aid the victims or searching for the perp.

[@devingonzales5739]

Holly Rockwell Officers are highly trained for things like this and even before they're hired, one requirement is to be able to remain calm in stressful situations because a department doesn't want their officers being scared when their job is to protect... I'm not sure where you're located but I'm from Denver and Aurora PD is a highly trained department and they're very picky when they hire, they make sure they get people who possess everything the job requires

[@marie2274]

My brother was a police sergeant and responded. He will never forget that night.

[@mck2021]

I concur.

[@MrPaglissi]

This has to be one of the greatest examples of Crisis/Resource Management I have ever heard.

[@drmayeda1930]

+MrPaglissi almost, EMS and police should have been better coordinated. Changing the staging area didn't help EMS. If they can walk they should have gone to the staging area.

[@MrPaglissi]

***** Good point and a worthy AAR comment, but a MassCal is a MassCal and this one was a nightmare. Over 100 people wounded in a tactical environment. I can only assume that the final CCP designation was done off line and they very well may have noticed that the staging area they had selected initially was unsuitable given the overwhelming number of patients. There's no need to saturate the frequency with more traffic than there will inevitably be already. I wasn't there, though, so I can only infer. My praise was more specifically towards the dispatching. Her poise and professionalism in the face of chaos undoubtedly saved lives. Indeed, there's always room for improvement, but in my opinion she can hold her head up high.

[@dronparker2190]

Wow!! Phenomenal dispatching!!

[@michaelb1701]

Im crying an im a grown ass man this dispacher deserves a big super fat pay raise

[@StepherZ]

Michael B Listening to this brought tears to my eyes as well. They all handled this great. This dispatch, I agree, deserves a BIG raise.

[@TheTrapGoose]

My friend was at that movie During this

[@littleblitz8239]

+Michael B Could you please pass me a Kleenex?

[@angelbaby3838]

Unlikely anyone would say no to a raise. I can promise you though, that raise means nothing compared to the feeling you get when you've done a fantastic job on a call like this one.

[@daymienogden8957]

good point. well said. I agree and not because yes it would feel good but you also deserve a pay raise.

[@Stu_Pedazzo]

I'm training as a dispatcher right now and am experiencing how quickly things can go from 0 to 100 in a the blink of an eye. What people don't realize is that there is SO MUCH MORE going on outside of this radio traffic and this dispatcher keeps the same calm tone and composure. I certainly hope I can achieve her level in the face of this type of stress. She is to be commended along with the people on the scene. Amazing.

[@overpalmer]

She is by far one of the best dispatchers I have heard, and I worked in emergency services for 17 years. I dispatched part time. I wouldn't have been that calm.

[@patton303]

I remember coming home late that night and sitting on my deck in Denver Tech Center and hearing the most police sirens I've ever heard in my life going down the interstate. I knew it was going to be really bad news.

[@howardarnold2143]

Very impressive. ..the calm reactions of our city's finest undoubtedly safed more live..good on you

[@rotaryalex13]

I m

[@pgainer1234]

Not only did the officers do an exceptional job but the dispatchers also did a great job. every time I listen to this I learn something new to take to work with me. GREAT JOB OFFICERS!

[@Libertarian1776]

Mega Kudos to the 911 dispatcher, WOW!

[@Viking102938]

Know what's messed up? This is just 25 minutes of her day. She probably had to keep working :l Dispatchers; the unsung heroes of law enforcement. One of the most stressfull jobs in the world, far as I can tell.

[@joejoeroko]

no they definitely relieved her once things were under control. thats what they do in all massive emergency situations from what i have seen.

[@wadecottrill790]

James Holmes is a monster and he does not deserve to live. A.P.D and A.F.D. and Rural Metro ambulance did an amazing job. The dispatcher is outstanding and kept her calm. Kuddo's to all first responders on this and all incidents.

[@vanisland17]

All I have to say is good job by dispatch and the officers for keeping calm and making clear directions

[@OfficialJamesParker]

But YET, people call all cops 'pigs' without valid reason. Astonishing society really.

[@biologychic7292]

Hearing the pain in the officers voices just breaks my heart. I truly hope they have been able to heal from all of the carnage they saw that day.

[@jimyang2886]

She freakend rocked this call.

[@jchors2947]

The dispatcher did very well. The beat cops were AMAZING! They assessed, triaged, and took action to save lives without delay. Big kudos.

[@Curi0u50ne]

She didn't say "Urmmmmmm" once, good play!

[@futurelawenforcementoffice1013]

Curi0u50ne hahahah gta speciality 😂

[@Wazza532]

amazing how the dispatcher stayed calm

[@thatzombieplace]

this dispatcher is amazing idk how she can do it! she deserves a medal

[@GRIFFINKYLE]

Great job to the police and dispatcher!!

[@BoulevardFan28]

It's not as easy as it sounds. Especially when officers are calling repeatedly for medics to haul away dying victims and the medics don't come. And don't come. And don't come. It's emotionally taxing and the dispatchers have to deal with that and also give directions to 50+ officers and fire personnel, and keep track of them.

[@MrOzymandiaoff]

Holy fuck and this is actually real, the dispatcher is doing an enormous job keeping calm under huge pressure.

[@sheakillinit]

MrOzymandiaoff that's their job

[@maybelater2010]

@@sheakillinit Not alot of people who go to work do their job correctly, let alone exceptionally.

[@elizabethelliott4300]

I was a dispatcher for 10 years. The worst calls you can imagine begin with "shots fired". You can't see what's going on. You rely on that radio traffic from officers and incoming phone calls. You keep your head on straight and focus. When it's over, and all your officers are confirmed safe, you calmly walk away from your console and lose it in private. The best job I ever had. Stressful doesn't even cover it...

[@juneandrews4378]

I have never heard such professionalism by the operator taking commands from multiple units at once. After hearing so many audios in which the operator was incapable or simply did not care, I hope this woman was praised for her exceptional work. God bless the rescuers and the people who experienced this horrific event in the city of Aurora.

[@arthurmckay4569]

Very insightful - thanks for sharing.

[@MissyYannetmtz]

Hearts and prayers to all the families ..I live so close to here that is amazing that something like this happenedin our community :'(

[@thespecialneedsgroup]

The dispatcher's outstanding, but I'm impressed with everyone on the tape. The officers' radio discipline is unbelievable. Nobody's broadcasting over each other, messages are short and informative, it's all plain English rather than code, and somebody realizes that they'll going to need to assign more channels, and it gets done before there's a problem. Very, very professional.

[@mck2021]

Amazing work by all emergency services, thank you. Everyone was working their hearts out trying to help and save those people, it brings tears to my eyes. And the trauma of seeing that all. And all those poor people, who just went to the movies and then had the worst night of their lives:(

[@3034893118]

Think of the Dispatchers in New York City on 9/11/2001 handling all the 9/11 calls think about how they felt, and the stress they had and everyone that handled the flights call for help, etc.

[@Sharkman3472]

This dispatcher did an outstanding job!

[@speedyretreat]

After listening to the FD feed, the emergency services need to find away to get comms quicker with each other. FD seemed confused about the situation behind the theatre and was not sending rescue there. Wow... Even with that, they all held together. They saved lives that night.

[@Jayisok50]

That woman on Dispatch is AMAZING, what a handful! And she handled it with such a cool head in that chaos!! Really good at her job, Bravo. How sad for those people.

[@garrettguest9659]

some of the best dispatching ive ever heard

[@Bob430E]

I just wonder. Was the dispatcher writing down all of the reports coming in on the radio or just the ones that needed prioritization. She was really doing a super job , from my point of view.

[@jackfrost5132]

Magic Fingers Typing away smoking the keyboard!

[@MNRQuick]

This dispatcher did an awesome job at staying calm & organized. I commend the officers for doing an outstanding job! I don't know why the ambulances weren't sent in when the officers requested. It was awesome that they went ahead & put the wounded into their patrol cars & took them to the hospital instead of waiting on the ambulances. My prayers go out to everyone involved.

[@Benaddicted11trkfbal]

There was an active shooter, wearing full tactical gear, Presence of poisonous gas, Armed with grenades, teargas, and an assault rifle, Currently On a killing spree and at large. They can’t operate in those conditions, They are not armed, They need hazmat and Law-enforcement to secure scene safety. The number 1 priority Is removing the victims out of harms way or removing harm from the scene. They aren’t going to be able to stabilize the severely injured patients and won’t be able to provide life-support. The greater the injury and urgency of a situation, it’s likely to seriously wounded aren’t going to make it even the rescue did everything they could. You can’t treat the critically wounded in that setting you have to focus on the patients that are more likely to survive. It’s rational and it’s all a part of

[@Benaddicted11trkfbal]

The police department should have been in communication with the fire department setting up a rendezvous point. Informing them of updates on the active shooter.

[@Benaddicted11trkfbal]

Or they need police escorts supporting EMS

[@kellipeterson8631]

Bless them all

[@Sdavis-tg4mp]

A Salute to all those first responders, they had a handle on situation in 20 minuets, many running in with courage and bravery to save people who had been shot.

[@hankrose3287]

Quintessential professionals....kudos to all the comunications people!

[@FacxtTV]

Not enough credit to the dispatcher. So calm through this. On point the whole entire time. Great job to her !

[@steveelswick8790]

Fantastic job by all.

[@dad7893]

I work at the theater they just remodeled and have at least 2-3 cops basically guard the place daily

[@Cristasphoto]

What are they afraid of? Copycats? These incidents are actually rare. And to hit at the same place would be even more unlikely.

[@littleblitz8239]

+Crista Sadler Just like tornados don't strike the same town twice. It can happen.

[@kro0014]

Superb police dispatcher. this should be material for regular dispatcher training.

[@Nicholasaaa]

I kinda feel like spiderman listening to this.....

[@followfornothing]

Irony is that it was a Batman movie lol

[@alexireibman9657]

THIS DISPATCHER IS AMAZING.

[@beccaboo617101]

I listen to a police scanner radio all the time for fun. I always try to tune into Aurora because it's ghetto. I happened to tune in as this was happening. It was insane. Hearing this again is giving me chills. "Where Batman was playing,"

[@jessicab6212]

Amazing dispatcher.

[@trainglen22]

Great job by both the fire deparment and Police.

[@vinceo66]

For all the dislikes I always give ALL cops, I will say these officers and police dispatchers were simply amazing. Can't imagine one minute your cruising in your cop car looking for drunk drivers then blam! Your running into a movie theater into horrible carnage.

[@m3rcmusic]

The escalation from a simple “shooting” to a mass shooting with dozens upon dozens of injuries is insane. There’s confusion on if there are multiple shooters, the scene can’t be entered because gas is lingering inside, the shooter(s) are nowhere to be found, there’s horrific injuries everywhere, not enough ambulances; just an intense situation for the cops and the dispatcher.

[@tishakennell5012]

This dispatcher rocked the house on this call.

[@troshs]

Yes! She was awesome.

[@JuliaRoberts45]

Was red backpack at end another shooter? thanks for posting...very interesting....how did Holmes get to his car so fast? Was he ever checked for GSR?

[@Sharkman3472]

All responders did a great job!

[@RaymondFuller27]

Amen, She deserves it and I am sure the city will give her a medal!

[@ChrisKillz503]

Then a few seconds later that officer on foot says he's gonna be over on the sable side of the theater. Still during 12:41 am.

[@envynibbins6527]

Sometimes I wonder am I going through that right now without my laptop 316

[@dorkdoll]

deepest sympathy to all victims families this is a tradgedy ,sympathy to all

[@OfficialJamesParker]

Do you always have to assure yourself you're a winner of non-existent competitions?

[@JuliaRoberts45]

Also--how does a civilian by tear gas? Where does one get training to use it?

[@ChrisKillz503]

then also during 12:41am they are calling for units out back? That would be the sable side, where they found the James Holmes.

[@EpicurusWasRight]

Does anyone know the legalities of listening to an EMS/FD/PD scanner in the US? I can't find anything that says it is illegal to use as long as you do not unveil the meaning behind protected information.

[@jdanon203]

+Thomas Todd It's all legal. The only thing that's illegal is if you decrypt encrypted communications. Otherwise if it's in the clear it's legal to listen to and do as you wish with whatever you can receive.

[@EpicurusWasRight]

Thanks Alex!

[@troshs]

Anytime there is sensitive information going out in a situation like this, they switch to unscannable channels usually.

[@envynibbins6527]

and the pirate of the caribean was my summer job up in Baltimore Maryland always got to get the hell out of hear scream.

[@fenderstratADHD]

Who is yelling at 3:16??

[@603rock]

Listen to the radio traffic from the fire side

[@policevauxhallastra6591]

What Dispatcher is this?

[@MrCdaddaniel]

Dispatcher kicked ass, calm idk how she did it

[@babybirdhome]

Parking lot, not theater door. There's a huge difference there.

[@Viking102938]

I never said it was. It's the nature of third partying an issue. No matter how organized they may be or how quickly they mobilize, they'll never be able to stop these sorts of things before damage has been caused. Until officers can be equipped and dispatched to any place on the face of the Earth instantly, they'll always be too late.

[@ChrisKillz503]

So at 12:41, there is still shooting going on inside?

[@alecyo12]

ya it has always amazed me how dispatch stays so calm. Even with the 9/11 audio its that way.

[@aaronkundla]

Did the fd give police scba? At 12:30 I hear pass alarms in the background

[@ItsOktawian]

sir can i download it to use as background to police game? i want to we a background with radio to be realistic butt i finded only your.

[@inrustwetrust5395]

That would be pretty disrespectful.

[@ItsOktawian]

but* xD

[@troshs]

Buick Bubba exactly true since there is so much more scanner audio on KZbin...and you can literally record it anywhere.

[@envynibbins6527]

I also read that the ocean had some rough neighbor hoods.

[@overpalmer]

So you were there? You were standing outside the door. You would have been willing and capable of walking into a cloud of OC and effectively taking down a shooter with an AR-15? I was a paramedic for 16 yrs, and once walked through the mist of pepper spray that an idiotic cop sprayed right in front of me. I couldn't take care of my patient for about 2 minutes. So what are you trying to say? Was the guy still shooting, when they arrived? Enlighten me.

[@5554132]

WOW

[@SuperBoomshack]

The EMT's must have been on a long smoke break

[@devingonzales5739]

At the time (2012), they weren't trained to enter a shooting until the scene was clear by police. Since then, FIRE/EMS have trained here in Denver and nationwide to enter with police and even have bullet proof vests and helmets that say either fire or medic

[@dmmedic34]

@@devingonzales5739 It was because Fire was trying to take a textbook MCI plan and squeeze this incident in there. Engines and Towers are not needed here. No need to set up treatment areas. What this incident needed was a well trained EMS system seperate from fire. It needed dedicated EMS personnel in ambulances. Patients needed triaged, and ambulances swooping and scooping to the only treatment area they needed- an operating room. But they were staged, by the fire IC, who for some reason ignored many many requests by police for ambulances. Police ultimately said Fuck It- we will take them ourselves.

[@exitscreaming]

@ 5:11 " Get us some damn gas masks for theater 9 ..."

[@ScoutMX]

It is truly outrageous, the degree of madness that may have the youth today God bless and help in finding the resignation of all the families of the victims of this madman. And he judged with the full weight of the law in this maniac From Mexico City, we share your pain.

[@Zeyr01]

The USA prescribes X3 more psychotropic medication to children than the rest of the world. The link is clear as day. The news media are there to protect pharmaceuticals corporations which is why this will never ever be properly talked about.

[@bigjay5516]

Always get chills listening to this.

[@bhoumik4]

I agree.

[@envynibbins6527]

I worked that night even in the ambulance helping and saving patients.

[@trk27780]

Only downfall I heard was why were they letting people leave. Other than that great job and prayers to the families.

[@Temptuous2112]

Holmes was found in his car, drugged. There are also accounts of witnesses in the theater who were interviewed who stated that when the movie started a man received a telephone call and went to the emergency exit and opened it.

[@dmmedic34]

That was Holmes. He was acting that he was using his phone so he could go get his weapons

[@envynibbins6527]

the shoot outs was worst then being home ,

[@juneandrews4378]

@viking102938 True. Except it was not the fault of the operator or rescue, police heard on this tape. They asked for additional help. The operator responded copying each comment. If blame is to be placed, it would have to be placed on the units that were called and did not arrive quickly. Then again, maybe they had current emergencies. It is hard to say. I think everyone onsitr and the operator should be promoted. I rate each as A+.

[@unru11ey1]

at midnight? a shoplifting suspect from where at midnight?

[@BreezyWinter]

Why did he tell the police about his apartment? He had nothing left to lose at that point. Why take time and effort to booby trap the apartment just to tell police and have them disarm it? My guess is that his apartment was set up by someone else and he wasn't meant to tell the police. Plus police reports say he had two roomates and was seen leaving his apartment with one the day of the shooting.

[@alexl.1081]

Holy.

[@thelouise6082]

Shit.

[@lost619]

@jarcher182 about 12 mins and onwards is that clip

[@chrisdeming9287]

They probably should have dispatched SWAT for something as serious as this. Seems like the officers are clearly overwhelmed.

[@B-...]

These things are long over before SWAT would arrive. Most are over in 2-10 minutes.

[@e.g.o.m.e]

Columbine is the reason they dont wait on swat

[@carolynmacdonald8047]

@@e.g.o.m.e- exactly well said

[@liliadream]

God help them! Its hard to understand.