Aurora filmgoers say they won't let gunman change their lives. Two survivors finish watching 'Knight'

Police tape cordons off the parking area around the Century 16 movie theater in Aurora, Colo., on July 20, 2012.

By Alexandra Zavis

July 26, 2012 3 AM PT

Reporting from AURORA, COLO. — Since returning from Iraq, Don and Jacqueline Lader have made a point of going to the movies.

Far from being put off by graphic violence, the two, who served in the Marines, see their film habit as a way to get used to the terrifying memories of shelling, reducing their impact.

That is why, less than 24 hours after surviving Friday’s shooting rampage, which left 12 dead and 58 injured in Aurora, the couple returned to a darkened movie theater, holding hands as they finished watching the latest Batman installment, “The Dark Knight Rises.”

They were determined not to allow the actions of one individual -- they can’t bring themselves to refer to him as a person -- keep them from doing something they love.

“We need to come here to prove that we can enjoy a movie again,” Don Lader said. “We need normalcy back -- and it’s a good movie.”

Their resolve is shared by many in this shocked and grieving community, where the once-innocent pleasure of going to the movies has turned into an act of defiance against incomprehensible violence.

Local and state officials have urged residents to go out with friends and family. The Aurora Police Department is providing extra security at theaters screening the Batman film.

“Despite an event like this, I keep stressing that this is one of the safest cities in one of the safest states in the safest country in the world,” Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper told reporters Saturday. “There’s a bunch of folks on our staff that took their kids to the movies last night, just as a way to try and demonstrate that we’re not going to back down.”

A steady stream of people turned up at the Aurora Movie Tavern over the weekend, hoping to see “The Dark Knight Rises” and other films.

A note on the doors said the venue was closed for the weekend in memory of employee Alex Sullivan, 27, “part of our Movie Tavern family,” who died in the shooting.

“Well, shucks,” said Karla Williams as she surveyed the 12 red roses lined up on the pavement and tucked into the door handles --- one for each of those who died at the nearby Century 16 theater. “That’s very sad.”

Her husband, Brad, scrolled through his cellphone to find another screening of the movie for their boys, Chris, 12, and Joshua, 9.

“I think it’s a great lesson for our kids,” he said. “Tragedy happens, but you have to move on.”

Others felt a little anxious about going out so soon after the shootings. Breanna Ballash, 19, considered staying home.

“Then I thought, this happened because of one crazy guy. It probably won’t happen again.” Still, Ballash said, “I’m definitely going to start learning how to carry a gun.”

The Laders didn’t want to go back, but they knew from previous therapy that they had to do it. Driving to the theater Saturday night, they bickered over which route to take.

The theater was less than half full, but the police officers outside and inside the building reassured the couple.

While Jacqueline stopped in the ladies’ room, Don scoped out the auditorium. He selected seats near an exit. Then he moved their car close to where they would come out in an emergency.

“The preparation made us feel better, because that is something we could do,” Jacqueline said.

Minutes into the movie, Don realized he was spending more time scanning the exits than looking at the screen. They stepped out for a cigarette break.

Soon after they returned, a quiet cityscape flashed across the screen. It was in that moment of the film, they said, that the gunman had appeared through an emergency door, thrown at least one gas or smoke canister and fired into the packed theater.

During the attack, the couple’s military training had kicked in, and they dropped to the floor. Don threw himself atop his wife. When the shooter’s weapon seemed to jam, he yelled, “Run,” and dragged Jacqueline toward the exit.

As the memories of that night came flooding back, Don noticed that his wife was trembling. He asked whether she was afraid.

“I’m not afraid,” she whispered. “I’m angry.”

Bit by bit, they started to relax and get lost in the story. To her delight, Jacqueline said, Batman repeated her words: “I’m not afraid. I’m angry.”

In her mind, she said, the shooter had become the villain on-screen. “It was almost like he had stepped out of the movie.... Seeing the movie helped demystify the experience for me. He’s just a sick nut case who will never hurt anybody else again.”

As they left the theater, Jacqueline made a point of thanking the police officers.

“It’s because of them I had the courage to stay,” she said.

There are those who say the Century 16 should be boarded up, never to reopen. But the Laders hope that won’t happen, and that Theater 9, where the shootings occurred, will become a memorial.

“I would like to go back and sit in my seat with the lights on,” Jacqueline said. “And people who lost loved ones can visit the place where they were last.”

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Twitter: @alexzavis