James Holmes called himself the "Joker" after massacre

James Holmes, the alleged gunman who killed 12 people and injured dozens during a screening of the Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, apparently dressed up like the hero's arch nemesis, a police official says.

"It clearly looks like a deranged individual. He had his hair painted red, he said he was 'The Joker,' obviously the enemy of Batman," New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said Friday at a press conference.

The source of Kelly's information wasn't immediately clear; however, the commissioner is reportedly a close friend of Dan Oates, the chief of police in Aurora, Colo., where the massacre occurred. Oates was also a longtime member of the New York Police Department.

Two federal law enforcement officials confirmed to ABC News the details of The Joker costume.

In a separate news conference in Aurora, Oates declined to speculate on a motive. He said that Holmes was believed to be the only suspect, armed with an assault rifle, shotgun and handgun as he opened fire on the packed movie house.

A total of 71 moviegoers were shot at the Century 16 Theater at the Town Center Mall, including an infant and one person in another theater by a bullet that went through the wall.

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