NRA tweeter 'unaware' of shooting

National Rifle Association sends ill-timed tweet after Colorado shooting "Good morning, shooters. Happy Friday!" wrote one of the group's accounts Tweet was widely criticized as insensitive given the overnight shooting that killed 12 (CNN) -- While the nation wrestled with the aftermath of a shooting in Colorado that left 12 people dead, a Twitter account for the National Rifle Association had this to say: "Good morning, shooters. Happy Friday! Weekend plans?" That tweet was posted at 9:20 a.m.T on Friday by an account for "American Rifleman," the official NRA journal. The group, which advocates for gun owners, appeared to have been pulled down from the Internet as of about 12:30 p.m. ET Friday. Shooting turns movie into surreal horror .cnnArticleGalleryNav{border:1px solid #000;cursor:pointer;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:25px} .cnnArticleGalleryNavOn{background-color:#C03;border:1px solid #000;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:20px} .cnnArticleGalleryNavDisabled{background-color:#222;border:1px solid #000;color:#666;float:left;height:25px;text-align:center;width:25px} .cnnArticleExpandableTarget{background-color:#000;display:none;position:absolute} .cnnArticlePhotoContainer{height:122px;width:214px} .cnnArticleBoxImage{cursor:pointer;height:122px;padding-top:0;width:214px} .cnnArticleGalleryCaptionControl{background-color:#000;color:#FFF} .cnnArticleGalleryCaptionControlText{cursor:pointer;float:right;font-size:10px;padding:3px 10px 3px 3px} .cnnArticleGalleryPhotoContainer cite{background:none repeat scroll 0 0 #000;bottom:48px;color:#FFF;height:auto;left:420px;opacity:.7;position:absolute;width:200px;padding:10px} .cnnArticleGalleryClose{background-color:#fff;display:block;text-align:right} .cnnArticleGalleryCloseButton{cursor:pointer} .cnnArticleGalleryNavPrevNext span{background-color:#444;color:#CCC;cursor:pointer;float:left;height:23px;text-align:center;width:26px;padding:4px 0 0} .cnnArticleGalleryNavPrevNextDisabled span{background-color:#444;color:#666;float:left;height:23px;text-align:center;width:25px;padding:4px 0 0} .cnnVerticalGalleryPhoto{padding-right:68px;width:270px;margin:0 auto} .cnnGalleryContainer{float:left;clear:left;margin:0 0 20px;padding:0 0 0 10px} if (typeof cnnArticleGallery == "undefined") { var cnnArticleGallery = {}; } if(typeof cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList =="undefined"){ cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList = []; } var expGallery51=new ArticleExpandableGallery(); expGallery51.setImageCount(49); //cnn_adbptrackpgalimg("Colorado movie theater shooting", 1); The public gets its first glimpse of James Holmes, 24, the suspect in the Colorado theater shooting during his initial court appearance Monday, July 23. With his hair dyed reddish-orange, Holmes, here with public defender Tamara Brady, showed little emotion. He is accused of opening fire in a movie theater Friday, July 20, in Aurora, Colorado, killing 12 people and wounding 58 others. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":true,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":1,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Holmes appeared at times with a blank stare often seming in a daze during the court appearance Monday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":2,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Flags fly at half-staff Monday at the Arapahoe County Courthouse in Centennial, Colorado, where the movie theater shooting suspect had his first court appearance. The prosecutor held a press conference outside the courthouse. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":3,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Arapahoe County District Attorney Carol Chambers talks to reporters Monday before heading into the courthouse. Chambers said later no decision has been made about whether to seek the death penalty. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":4,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Family members of the victims arrive at the courthouse Monday for the suspect's first court appearance. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":5,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} The Century Aurora 16 multiplex in Aurora becomes a place of horror after a gunman opened fire Friday in a crowded theater. At least 17 people remained hospitalized late Sunday, July 22, in the shooting rampage that shocked the nation. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":6,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Holmes is accused of opening fire during a midnight screening of the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Holmes purchased four weapons and more than 6,000 rounds of ammunition in recent months, police say. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":7,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Police investigate outside the Century 16 multiplex Saturday, July 21, a day after the mass shooting. Authorities have been tight-lipped about a possible motive in the case. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":8,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Agents search the suspect's car outside the theater. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":9,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Aurora police escort a sand-filled dump truck containing improvised explosive devices removed from Holmes' booby-trapped apartment Saturday. Authorities have said they believe the suspect rigged his place before leaving for the movie theater. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":10,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Police break a window at the suspect's apartment Friday in Aurora. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":11,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Law enforcement officers speak with Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, center, outside the suspect's apartment Saturday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":12,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Law enforcement officers prepare to disarm the booby-trapped apartment Saturday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":13,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Officials tow cars outside Holmes' apartment Saturday. Police disassembled devices and trip wires set up in the apartment. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":14,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Officers prepare to place an explosive device inside the apartment. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":15,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Debris flies out a window, right, after law enforcement officers detonate an explosive device inside the apartment Saturday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":16,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} People mourn the victims during a vigil behind the theater where a gunman opened fire on moviegoers in Aurora. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":17,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} A woman grieves during a vigil for victims behind the theater. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":18,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} A distraught woman receives counseling from Pastor Quincy Shannon, left, in front of Gateway High School in Aurora, where the families of the missing met following the shooting. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":19,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Lin Gan of Aurora holds back tears as she speaks to reporters about her experience in the Century 16 theater Friday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":20,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} People embrace before a vigil for victims behind the theater where a gunman opened fire on moviegoers. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":21,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Investigators work on evidence near the apartment of James Holmes on Friday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":22,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Members of the Aurora Police Department SWAT unit walk near the apartment of James Holmes. Police have Holmes,24, of North Aurora, in custody. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":23,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Television news crews gather in front of the home of Robert and Arlene Holmes, parents of 24-year-old mass shooting suspect James Holmes, in San Diego, California. on Friday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":24,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} A popcorn box lies on the ground outside the Century 16 movie theatre. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":25,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} An NYPD officer keeps watch inside an AMC move theater where the film "The Dark Knight Rises" is playing in Times Square on Friday. NYPD is maintaining security around city movie theaters following the deadly rampage in Aurora, Colorado. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":26,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Adariah Legarreta, 4, is comforted by her grandmother Rita Abeyta near the Century 16 Theater in Aurora. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":27,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} A cyclist and pedestrians pass a theater showing the latest Batman movie in Hollywood, California, on Friday. Warner Brothers said it was "deeply saddened" by Friday's massacre at a Colorado screening of "The Dark Knight Rises." cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":28,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Obama supporters observe a moment of silence for the victims at a campaign event at Harborside Event Center in Fort Myers, Florida, on Friday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":29,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Jessica Ghawi, an aspiring sportscaster, was one of the victims. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":30,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} A woman waits for news outside Gateway High School, a few blocks from the scene of the shooting at the Century Aurora 16. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":31,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Aurora police chief Daniel J. Oates speaks at a press conference near the Century 16 Theater on Friday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":32,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Agents search the trash container outside the suspect's apartment in Aurora. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":33,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} A Federal ATF officer carries protective gear onsite at the home of alleged shooting suspect James Holmes. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":34,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Obama speaks on the shootings at the event in Fort Myers. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":35,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Moviegoers are interviewed at the Century Aurora 16. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":36,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Officers gathered at the theater Friday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":37,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Investigators were a common sight at the theater Friday. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":38,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Authorities gather at the shooting suspect's apartment building in Aurora. Police broke a second-floor window to look for explosives that the suspect claimed were in the apartment. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":39,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Screaming, panicked moviegoers scrambled to escape from the black-clad gunman, who wore a gas mask and randomly shot as he walked up the theater's steps, witnesses said. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":40,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} University of Colorado Hospital spokeswoman Jacque Montgomery said that all of the wounded had injuries from gunshot wounds, ranging from minor to critical. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":41,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Onlookers gather outside the Century Aurora 16 theater. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":42,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} A woman sits on top of her car near the crime scene. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":43,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Police block access to the Town Center mall after the shooting. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":44,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Cell phone video taken by someone at the theater showed scores of people screaming and fleeing the building. Some, like this man, had blood on their clothes. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":45,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Witnesses told KUSA that the gunman kicked in an emergency exit door and threw a smoke bomb into the darkened theater before opening fire. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":46,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} What is believed to be the suspect's car is examined after the shooting. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":47,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Police Chief Dan Oates said there was no evidence of a second gunman, and FBI spokesman Jason Pack said it did not appear the incident was related to terrorism. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":48,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Repubican presidential candidate and former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney delivers remarks regarding the shooting in an Aurora, Colorado, movie theater on Friday at a campaign event in Bow, New Hampshire. cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList.length] = {"currentPicture":false,"x":5,"y":1,"pos":49,"title":"Colorado movie theater shooting"} Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting Colorado movie theater shooting HIDE CAPTION << < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 > >> Colorado movie theater massacre Event.observe(window, 'load', function() { //report the first gallery image to ADBP if(typeof(cnn_adbptrackpgalimg) == 'function' && typeof(cnnArticleGallery) != 'undefined') { cnn_adbptrackpgalimg(cnnArticleGallery.currentImageList[0].image, ""); } }); var currExpandable="expand25"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='us/2012/07/20/sot-fl-obama-colorado-batman-theater-shooting.cnn'; mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/120720031553-sot-fl-obama-colorado-batman-theater-shooting-00001712-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand25Store=mObj; Obama: Such evil is senseless var currExpandable="expand35"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='us/2012/07/20/sot-romney-colorado-batman-theater-shooting.cnn'; mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/120720050823-sot-romney-colorado-batman-theater-shooting-00000314-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand35Store=mObj; Romney condemns 'hateful act' var currExpandable="expand45"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='us/2012/07/20/nat-pkg-co-shooting.cnn'; mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/120720022335-nat-pkg-co-shooting-00001207-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand45Store=mObj; Witness: He pointed gun at my face var currExpandable="expand55"; if(typeof CNN.expandableMap==='object'){CNN.expandableMap.push(currExpandable);} var mObj={}; mObj.type='video'; mObj.contentId=''; mObj.source='bestoftv/2012/07/20/exp-shooting-witness.cnn'; mObj.lgImage="http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/dam/assets/120720041845-exp-shooting-witness-00002001-story-body.jpg"; mObj.lgImageX=300; mObj.lgImageY=169; mObj.origImageX="214"; mObj.origImageY="120"; mObj.contentType='video'; CNN.expElements.expand55Store=mObj; Witness: Shooter was aiming everywhere "A single individual, unaware of events in Colorado, tweeted a comment that is being completely taken out of context," NRA spokesman Andrew Arulanandam said in a comment issued to CNN. Theater shooting unfolds in real time on social media He also said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families and the community. NRA will not have any further comment until all the facts are known." Online, Twitter users rushed to criticize the post as insensitive, since it followed the overnight shooting at a theater in Aurora, Colorado, during a showing of the new Batman movie. Aspiring sports reporter feared dead in shooting "Perhaps NRA should read news before tweeting," @ambermac wrote on Twitter. "This is a real tweet today from an official NRA account. Oblivious," wrote Max Fisher, an associate editor at The Atlantic. Some people speculated that the advocacy group, which opposes gun-control legislation, scheduled the tweet to publish before the movie-theater shooting had occurred. The tweet was posted via Hootsuite, an app that lets Web publishers schedule tweets to go out automatically at a later date or time. "Scheduled tweets can be dangerous," wrote @B2BMarketingVP. It turned out, however, that the tweet was posted by someone who hadn't seen news of the mass shooting. Are you there? Share your story on CNN iReport and post tributes to the victims. if(typeof CNN.expElements==='object'){CNN.expElements.init();}