AURORA, Colo. (CBS News) - Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates released new information in a scheduled news conference, Saturday afternoon.
First, Oates went into detail about how bomb technicians were successful in deactivating an explosive device installed in the apartment of the Aurora shooting suspect apartment.
Officers disarmed one explosive with a "water shot" - a device that emits a shock wave and water.
Officers are evaluating a second disarmed explosive with a robot-mounted video camera.
Earlier Saturday, bomb experts executed a controlled detonation of a triggering device in the apartment.
The bomb crews were faced with deactivating an explosives-laden booby trap that had been set up in the home of James Holmes. Examination of the explosives by bomb experts from the FBI Lab in Quantico, Va., revealed that a trip wire (possibly fishing line) was set up to trigger a liquid container to mix with another, setting off the main charge of the device, which may be additional flammable liquids.
Also in the apartment were about 30 aerial shells (or fireworks) the size of softballs, black in color and made of mostly rubber. They are believed to be filled with smokeless powder. Depending on how the powder was packed, the devices could either detonate or just burn.
Police said the apartment was rigged to detonate on a presumed police entry when the suspect set up loud music to be playing, while he was on his way to the movie theater. First responders would then be sent to the apartment, on the opposite side of town where the gunman planned to wage his assault.
Having evacuated the apartment complex, police this morning were seen towing vehicles away to clear the immediate area. Bomb technicians on a fire truck's crane were seen maneuvering a triggering device through the broken window of the apartment.
Shortly afterwards, a sire sounded, and a muffled boom was heard.
Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates also released in the news conference that the identities of the 12 people who lost their lives in the Colorado movie theater, early Friday morning, may be released Saturday afternoon but he added that this information will only be released by the Coroner's office.
Meanwhile, a candlelight vigil has been scheduled Sunday night for the town of Aurora to mourn those who lost their lives in this shooting massacre.
For more information on the Colorado movie theater shooting massacre, click below:
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