Security Increased Near Theaters After Batman Movie Shooting

There will be a police presence at county movie theaters following a mass shooting during a showing of "The Dark Knight Rises" at a theater in Colorado early Friday.

County police will patrol theaters showing the new Batman film, as well as nearby parking lots on Friday, Montgomery County Police Chief J. Thomas Manger told NBC4.

Click here to read the story on NBC4's Web site.

Near Bethesda, movie theaters showing the film include AMC Loews White Flint 5, AMC Mazza Gallerie, the Movies at Montgomery Mall, and Regal Bethesda 10.

Police aren't aware of any threats to theaters in the county, Montgomery County police spokesman Capt. Paul Starks told The Washington Post.

“There will be an increased presence around some movie theaters just so the public knows we know about this and we’re trying to reassure them,” Starks said, according to The Post.

The Tennessee-based Regal Entertainment Group, which owns Regal Bethesda 10, released a statement on Friday that said:

“We are profoundly saddened by the tragedy that occurred at a Denver area theatre and are concerned for the victims and their families. The security and safety of our guests and staff is always our number one priority. As is our custom, we will continue to monitor the situation and adjust our security needs as necessary. In the meantime, our thoughts and prayers go out to the victims and their families.”

Texas-based Cinemark Holdings, Inc., the owner of the Denver-area theater where the shooting occurred, issued a statement saying it is "deeply saddened" by the shooting and is "working closely" with law enforcement agencies in Colorado, The Hollywood Reporter reported. The closest Cinemark-owned theater to Rockville is at Arundel Mills mall in Hanover.

The National Association of Theater Owners is ensuring members review a safety checklist for theaters and other public places issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, The Hollywood Reporter reported.