(RALEIGH) -- Local authorities and movie goers are reacting to Thursday's movie theater massacre. 24-year-old James Holmes entered the theater through the emergency exit of the midnight premier of "The Dark Knight Rises" in Aurora, Colorado armed with an extensive arsenal of weapons and proceeded to kill 12 people and injure 58 others. Two are in critical condition.

Holmes reportedly threw a tear gas grenade then shot anyone that caught his attention. The police apprehended him in his car outside the theater after the shooting ended.

It is unclear if the theater was chosen at random or if there was a connection to the movie. The shooter had died his hair a shocking red, which is a similar style to the villain "The Joker" from the film.

After being arrested, Holmes told police that he had thoroughly booby trapped his apartment. Police have yet to enter the apartment. Officers and fire fighters are standing by as bomb experts inspect the trip wire and various hazardous materials that appear to be within the apartment. A controlled detonation is currently under consideration.

Meanwhile, premier events for the final installment of the batman trilogy have been cancelled or scaled back around the globe. The effects of this tragedy can be seen here in our home state as well.

North Carolina theaters are taking precautions this weekend following Friday's shooting spree at the Colorado multiplex that took the lives of 12 people and injured dozens more at the premier of the latest Batman flick..   Moviegoer Stephen Lorey told WTVD/ABC 11 that he's all for that...

"I would feel more comfortable going to a movie that had less of an impact, I guess than 'Batman' and because he chose that movie that movie I would be very nervous to go in there of somebody maybe trying to out do what he did."

While many may be wary of that particular movie, thus far there is no indication that attendance at movie theaters in general will drop.

This weekend Raleigh police are going to be more alert and on the lookout for any potential trouble in our area.