AURORA, Colo. A gunman opened fire early Friday at a suburban Denver movie theater, leaving at least 14 people dead and 50 others injured, Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said.



The violent and chaotic scene erupted about 12:30 a.m. local time as a gunman stood at the front of one of the Century 16 theaters at the Aurora Mall where the latest Batman movie "The Dark Knight Rises" was playing, police said.



"Witnesses tell us he released some sort of canister. They heard a hissing sound and some gas emerged and the gunman opened fire," Oates said at a news conference.



Police, ambulances and emergency crews swarmed on the scene after frantic calls started flooding the 911 switchboard, officials said.



Officers found the gunman near a car behind the theater.



"A gas mask, rifle, handgun at least one additional weapon (were) found inside" he said.



The suspect was taken into custody, but no name was released. Oates said there's no evidence of any other attackers. There was also no immediate word of any motive.