Rise

July 20, 2012 - 12:05 AM - Aurora, Colorado. An eerie echo rang out as shots were fired into a crowded theater.

Most thought it was part of a theatrical stunt - part of the movie premier for The Dark Knight Rises™, the new Batman™ movie.

But it was not a stunt!

Just before dawn, the world awakened to the news of a tragic shooting at the Century 16 theater complex, leaving 12 dead, 58 wounded, and countless others emotionally traumatized.

Terrorized moviegoers dragged bloodied bodies of friends and loved ones to safety. Others heroically surrendered their lives to protect a loved one. Pastors and fellow Christians put aside their own emotions to pray for victims, while brave and courageous first responders flooded the complex.

These are their stories... in their own words.