ABC News Coverage Plans - Tragedy in Colorado

By David Ford July 20, 2012

ABC NEWS PLANS COMPREHENSIVE BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE OF THE MASS SHOOTING IN AURORA, COLORADO

ABC's Clayton Sandell Reported Live from Aurora Friday Morning for All Broadcasts and Platforms

Woman Who Identified Herself as the Mother of the Suspect Tells ABC: "You have the right person… I need to call the police"

Diane Sawyer to Anchor a Special Edition of "ABC World News" with Weekend Anchor David Muir Reporting from Aurora

Chris Cuomo to Anchor a Special Live Edition of "20/20? Tonight from Colorado at 10:00 PM

ABCNews.com, ABC News Radio and ABC NewsOne Will Provide Continuing Coverage Throughout the Day

ABC News plans comprehensive breaking news coverage of the mass shooting that occurred at a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado early Friday morning that has left at least 14 people dead and at least 50 people injured, according to authorities. ABC's Clayton Sandall reported live from the scene on Friday morning. He continues to report for all ABC News broadcasts and platforms.

ABC's David Wright and Cecilia Vega will join Clayton Sandall on the scene. ABC News senior justice correspondent Pierre Thomas, chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross, chief health and medical editor Dr. Richard Besser, and ABC News consultant and former FBI agent Brad Garrett are contributing to reporting for all broadcast and platforms.

Diane Sawyer will anchor a special edition of " ABC World News" on Friday night with "World News" weekend anchor David Muir reporting live from the scene in Colorado.

Chris Cuomo will anchor a special live edition of " 20/20" from Aurora, Colorado tonight at 10:00pm/ET.

Bill Weir will anchor a special edition of " Nightline" at 11:35pm/ET from New York with live team coverage from Colorado.

Christina Ng will be reporting from Colorado for ABC News digital platforms. Alex Stone and Jim Ryan will report throughout the day from the scene for ABC News Radio and Brandi Hitt will be providing continuing coverage from Aurora for ABC NewsOne, the network's affiliate news service.

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ABC NEWS BREAKING NEWS COVERAGE

At 4:53am/ET, "ABC World News Now" anchors Rob Nelson and Paula Farris led a special report that was broadcast ( WATCH ).

At 7:00am/ET, "Good Morning America" began special coverage anchored by George Stephanopoulos, Josh Elliott and Amy Robach with senior justice correspondent Pierre Thomas, chief investigative correspondent Brian Ross, chief health and medical editor Dr. Richard Besser, and ABC News consultant and former FBI agent Brad Garrett reporting.

George Stephanopoulos opened the broadcast with all of the key details: "Let's get right to that breaking news - a horrific scene just east of Denver where a night at the movies has turned into a nightmare. As we said at least 14 dead, 50 injured. The suspect, a young man, 24 years-old. Eyewitnesses describe him as armed for battle - a rifle, a handgun, a shotgun and smoke bombs - wearing a bullet proof vest and a gas mask - police believe now he acted alone, but they continue to search the entire area. The suspect's apartment complex has been evacuated - reports that explosives were found there."

"GMA" spoke to many eyewitnesses throughout the morning. Amy Robach spoke to Lamar Lane, a 21 year-old who was inside the theatre. George Stephanopoulos had a phone interview with Nicole Williams, a spokesperson for Swedish Medical Center, where a number of the victims were rushed right after the shooting.

At 8:06am/ET, ABC News reported that the James Holmes had been identified as the identity of the suspected shooter and reported it on ABCNews.com. George Stephanopoulos reported the news on "GMA" at 8:07am/ET.

In the 8:00am/ET hour, Amy Robach spoke with another eyewitness, a 15 year-old girl, who say the shooter and Josh Elliott did an interview with a 25 year-old eyewitness.

A San Diego woman identifying herself as James Holmes's mother spoke briefly with ABC News reporter Matt Mosk this morning. She had awoken unaware of the news of the shooting and had not been contacted by authorities. She immediately expressed concern that her son may have been involved saying "You have the right person." "I need to call the police," she added. "I need to fly out to Colorado." More: http://abcn.ws/OLS2kN

ABCNews.com has been providing up the minute reporting throughout the morning. For the latest details see these stories:

In addition, ABC News has been working closely throughout the morning with its affiliate station in Denver KMGH-TV.