gordon cowden was laid to rest today. i spoke with brooke and weston yesterday.s. i can't imagine what this has been like for you. brooke, how are you holding up? >> it's a lot of off and on. our dad continues. we have strength but at moments you'll just break down. and lose it. >> weston, i read your dad described in a lot of great ways. someone described him as a true texas gentleman. what do you want people to know about him? what was he like? >> my dad taught me what it meant to be a man. he was -- he was a father first and last and always. that was just what he was all about. we were trying to go through and figure, out for the sake of the eulogy and such, what he was and what he was into. but, really, it was just, well, he had -- he had us four kids. and that was just the life that he lived. and what he was all about. >> you guys were the focus of his life. >> yes. that was just -- he was a dad. >> brooke, your last days with your dad included some really special memories i understand. >> yes, sir. actually, hours before we went to the premiere, he and i ha

gordon cowden was the oldest of those who lost their lives. 51-year-old father, devoted to his kids. he owned his own business and loveled the outdoors. he'd taken his two teens to see batman. the kids survived. 26-year-old jonathan blunk was also a father. he died shielding his girlfriend. their 4-year-old daughter now takes comfort listening to him speak on his voice mail message. >> johnny was the type who wants to help anybody. he always wanted to make people smile and laugh. he was very optimistic and outgoing. >> reporter: matt quinn died protecting his girlfriend. they both recently moved to colorado. his friends and family want to remember his great heart and his big personality. >> i'm very proud of him. we're going to miss him. >> you're nailing it, i'm telling you. >> reporter: jessica ghawi was a 24-year-old aspiring sports reporter. she'd moved to denver to start her career. she was the first victim publicly identified. i spoke to her brother jordan on friday. >> her dreams cut short and how we're going to be able to sustain those

the first funeral of the 12 victims was held in denver, yesterday. 51-year- old gordon cowden was laidted privacy for the service. also wednesday, a visitation took place for 23-year old micayla medek in aurora.her funeral is today. the aurora community is also making a push to get the media to stop naming the shooter... and stop showing his images on t-v. families of the victims fear the media attention feeds into the accused shooters desire to be infamous. today... president obama wraps up a 4-day road trip in new orleans.since last week's violent movie theater massacre in colorado... the president.. stayed out of the gun control debate. but during his address to the civil rights group wednesday... he made some strong comments against gun violence. i, like most americans, believe that the second amendment guarantees an individual the right to bear arms. i think we recognize the traditions of gun ownership have been passed down from generation to generation, that hunting and shooting are part of a cherished national heritage. but i also believe that a lot of gun owners would agree tha

tonight, the first funeral for one of those 12 victims of the colorado massacre, 51-year- old gordon cowden is remembered by family and friends as a loving father. he took his children to see the dark knight rises, midnight showing last friday. that's when police say 24-year- old james holmes burst into that theater and opened fire. in addition to the 12 killed, dozens of other people were injured. some of them still in the hospital tonight. and that tragedy in aurora, once again raising questions about gun control in america. it comes as a federal judge here in baltimore finds part of a state gun law unconstitutional. that means it could soon be easier to carry a concealed weapon here in maryland. [ gunshot ] >> reporter: a victory for opponents of gun control in maryland. a judge issued a ruling that affects maryland's concealed carry permit law. until now, they had to have a substantial reason for a permit. but that has been struck down. >> even without this good and substantial showing, we still have one of the most restrictive regimes in america, in maryland here, for getting a permit

the news comes as the first funeral of one of the 12 victims was held today. 51year old gordon cowdenest in denver this afternoon... the family requested privacy for the service. the aurora community also making a push to get the media to stop naming the shooter... and stop showing his images on t-v. families of the victims fear the media attention feeds into the accused shooters desire to be infamous. tobin says: "the accused gunman makes his next court appearance on monday, the judge has ruled ánoá cameras will be allowed inside the courtroom for the hearing. in aurora, colorado. mike tobin, fox news." earlier we told you about the efforts to avoid future overcharges for baltimore city water customers.and we asked in our question of the day if you thought enough was being do. done.scott wrote on facebook..."the city will not turn off the cash cow." cow." and natalie writes... stop taking people's money aad give them a refund. refund. a lot of angry response on this question and most of you don't thnk enough is being done. go... to ...fox- baltimore dot com.../ . áátelláá us... what

fr >>> you'll hear from the family of gordon cowden, the oldest shooting victim. he'll be buried tomorrow. tonight we remember not just how his life ended, but how he lived his life. and you'll hear from a survivor shot three times. he was within inches of death. >> i was just laying there. and i felt him literally standing right above me. his boot couldn't have been no more than six inches away from my head. and i heard a couple more shots. and at that point the first thought going through my head was "he's just -- he's going to finish what he started right now," you know, i just laid there and i thought, "this is it, this is it." >> he says he felt a curtain of darkness falling and just as quickly it was as if the sun came out. tonight, he'll tell you about how dark turned to day. and in barely a heartbeat, he knew he would make it out of the theater alive. we begin with another report. an update on an important story we've been following for months now. trying to get answers keeping them honest. we told you about a number of supposed charities which have raised

gordon cowden and alexander tekes died. the other victims are jessica gawri and others. mcquinn dove in front of his girlfriend to protect her. from new york to the bay area action there isen increased police presence at that's rights all over the country. this is video from san mateo where police are patrolling outside the theater showing the "dark knight rises." in san jose, frightened patrons were evacuated from a movie theater there. now we hear why. >> reporter: things are back to normal at east ridge mall examine movie that's right after what mall security calls a false alarm. just after noon, patrons got quite a scare. this is cell phone video shot moments after the entire amc movie theater and east ridge mall and east san jose were evacuateed. it was a stressful but orderly exit as all 15 theaters emptied. >> 45 minutes into the movie, an employee walked in and basically told everyone to evacuate. >> reporter: andrew was watching "dark knight rises" when alarms started sounding. according to police, there were no emergencies, no crimes, and no threats reported. i

the oldest, 51-year-old gordon cowden, a real estate appraiser who took his kids. they escaped.he youngest victim, 6 years old. veronica moser-sullivan. her mother shot in the neck clings to life. her family broke the news it what happened to her daughter. >> such a wonderful little girl. you know. so sad that she had to have life taken away from her so early. >> reporter: there are stories of courage, people who lost lives by saving others. jon blunk threw his girlfriend on the floor to shield her. matt mcquinn dove on top of his girlfriend and took the bullet instead. >> matt did what a man is supposed to do. you protect the ones you love no matter the cost. grad school. a.j. boik out of high school with dreams of life as a art teacher. alex sullivan had big plans. he turned 27 on friday, posting on his facebook -- going to be the best birthday ever. micayla medek was there too. she worked as a sandwich maker. rebecca wingo, mother of two, spent 11 years in the air force, became fluent in mandarin and was a translator. jesse childress in the air force, a reservist. he died a h

. >> reporter: people like 51-year-old gordon cowden, the oldest victim of the massacre took his two teenaged daughters to the movie. they survived. he was laid to rest. the first of at least 12 funerals, the victims of the attack. after the chaos and killing at the theater, there are now growing questions in this grieving community about what will happen to the crime scene. some say it should be torn down and replaced by a memorial. others argue that the cinema should be reopened to show the gunman didn't win that night. right now the building is locked down by police but could be rushed to the owners by the end of the week. jay gray, nbc news, aurora, colorado. >>> meanwhile three hospitals taking care of some of the victims from the shooting are going to limit or completely wipe out their medical bill. so a great act of kindness there. >>> in the wake of the colorado shootings gun control has become a hot topic on the campaign trail. last night speaking to the national urban league in new orleans, the president tried to strike a balance between the right to bear arms and weaponry

for 51- year-old gordon cowden... the oldest of the victims. cowden had taken his two teens to see batman.both teens survived. some shocking statistics today... about a recent spike in people buying guns. according to the colorado bureau of investigations... 29 hundred people were approved to buy firearms this past weekend in that state.that's á43-percentá higher than the weekend before.officials didn't supply an explanation... but similar spikes were seen in other states following the virginia tech shooting... and the attemted assassination of arizona congresswoman gabrielle giffords. while the colorado shooting has some calling for tighter gun control laws... here in maryland it'll soon be áeasierá for people to get a permit to carry a concealed han. handgun.under the current law... residents are required to provide what's called a "good and substantial reason" to carry a handgun. but raymond woolard of baltimore county fought to change that... by filing a lawsuit. now a federal judge has decided.... a resident's árightá to bear arms... is th

the oldest, gordon cowden. he took his two teens with him that night. they escaped.ngest victim, 6 years old, veronica moser-sullivan. her mother, shot in the neck, clings to life. >> she was such a wonderful little girl. so sad she had to have life taken away from her so early. >> jon blunk threw his girlfriend on the floor. matt mcquinn jped on his girl and took the bullet instead. alex teves just finished school. a.j. boik dreamed of being an art teacher. alex sullivan turned 27 on friday. posted on facebook, going to be the best birthday ever. micayla medek was there, too. rebecca wingo was a mother of two. jesse krild resz died a hero, diving in front of a friend. john larimer's friends, a team of sailors would not leave him behind. jessica ghawi, an aspiring sports journalist, ironically just escaped a mass shooting at a toronto mall a few weeks ago. >>> in other news this morning. the withdrawal of u.s. troops from afghanistan has hit the halfway point. the commanders asay the afghan troops are taking on more speed. the coalition's combat mission is set to end

in denver yesterday, the service for 51-year-old gordon cowden who went to the movie with his teenage children. >> it was hard, but it was good. >> reporter: many of the law enforcement heroes from that tragic night paid tribute to the victims. >> we're all human. we're all affected by this greatly. >> reporter: this morning, hearing more from the victims and their families. you might be surprised by the compassion they're showing the shooter. listen to pierce o'farrilo'farr. >> he's a lost soul right now. i just doctor i pray the lord can find his way into his heart and change him. >> reporter: shirley lost her daughter, rebecca, in the massacre. >> i'm so thankful that he did not kill himself or be killed. i want him alive. >> reporter: and rob and paula, three hospitals caring for the wounded are showing compassion. they say they'll limit or completely wipe out the victims' medical 3wi8s. >> wonderful news. thanks, tahman. >>> the demand for guns has increased in the wake of the colorado ro shooting. gun control is once again an issue on the campaign trail. ak-47s belong in the han

gordon cowden was the oldest victim. he was 51 years old.ldren to the movies last thursday night, and he never came home. dan harris, abc news, centennial, colorado. >> thank you, dan, for that. you have to wonder here, was the fact that he failed this key oral exam, and then went out and got the rifle was that really what triggered it? some kind of academic failure. he was a gifted kid by all accounts. he did well in school, really one of the brightest of the bright here. but if that rifle that he bought after failing the exam was growing -- because he already had an arsenal by that point. so, something actually happened before he failed the exam to kind of start this behavior. you have to wonder what was that? this breakup, alleged breakup? the academic troubles, what fueled all this? >> i think it was interesting that he sent this package that had the very specific drawings of what was going to happen and what he was going to do, to a specific psychiatrist on campus. they evacuated the building for three hours today. the university would

the first one was yesterday for 55-year-old gordon cowden. calls are out in the wake of that shooting. they want expanded background check and a ban on high ammunition magazines. gun-control could become an issue on the campaign trail. the president said in new orleans that an assault rifle like the k-47 belong in the battlefield, not in american homes. today, the president will meet with his cabinet for the first time since january. he is expected to speak with a fire fighters convention by telephone. mitt romney met with prime minister david cameron this morning. earlier in the day he met with former prime minster tony blair. he is in london for the opening ceremonies of the olympic games more night. michelle obama leaves today to leave the u.s. delegation in london. coming up, another partisan battle is shaping up with your wallet caught smack in the middle. the push to extend tax cuts. and a push to expand casinos in maryland. and the latest on the stranger abduction of cal ripken jr.'s mother, how she described the man who tied her up in

and gordon w. cowden, 51. please join me as we pray. heavenly father, we come to you now and ask that the comforter of your holy spirit would wrap your arms around each one who tonight suffers, suffers in their body, suffers in their mind for those who are feeling the ripple effects, their families and their friends. may you comfort them. may you walk with them in the days ahead and may they continue to know that they have received an outpouring of new friends in this community, of new friends in this nation and that we as a family together will continue to love, to support, to encourage them. and to help them in any way that we can. may the comforter of your holy spirit be with them in the night and in the wee hours when there are so few to talk to. and most of all, may know your healing. may know your love. may they know your power. may they know that they forever will know they are loved. and we thank you for your protection over each of them. in your son jesus' name. amen. >> thank you, pastor debbie. providing words of encouragemen

today the first funeral was held for the oldest victim in the shooting. 51-year-old gordon cowden was shot after taking his teenaged daughters to the movie. they both survived. >> the girls told us as they were leaving theater, that he was yelling after them, i love you. >> questions continue to swirl about what will happen to the crime scene. some say it should be torn down and replaced by a memorial. that building is locked down at least until friday. as for the suspect, holmes remains in jail in solitary confinement and refusing to cooperate with the police. >>> investigators are trying to figure out why a man drowned in a few feet of water. police identified the victim as a 21-year-old of district heights. rescuers found him in a pond near the mistletoe apartments in laurel at 9:00 last night. >>> caught on tape but still on the loose. police are looking for suspects in a series of car dealership burglaries in the alexandria area. the group hit up three locations several times since february. in the most recent case the burglars stole a safe with cash in it. >>> penn state univers

the oldest, 51, gordon cowden. the youngest victim, 6 years old, veronica moster-sullivan. her mother shot in the neck, clings to life. yesterday, they told her what happened to her daughter. >> she was a wonderful little girl. sad she had to have life taken away so early. >> reporter: there are stories of courage. jon blunk threw his girlfriend on the floor. matt mcquinn dove on his girlfriend and took the bullet instead. >> you take it no matter the it's a. >> alex teves had just finished school. alex sullivan had plans too. he turned 27 saturday. posting on facebook, going to be the best birthday ever. hours later, friends frantic. oh, my gosh, was he there. micayal medek was there too. he was a sandwich maker. e becca wingo send years in the air force, was fluent in mandarin and worked as a translater. jesse childress die adhere row, diving in front of a friend, a female service member. >> you want him on your team. >> reporter: john larimer leapt over a seat to save his girlfriend. and there is one story that defies the odds. jessica ghawi a few weeks ago escaped anoth

will be held today in aurora.there will also be a memorial service for gordon cowden... was 51... at a church in denver today. 3nats nats sad news in the entertainment world...actor sherman hemsley died yesterday.he was found unresponsive in his el paso texas home.he was best known as wise-cracking george jefferson on "the jeffersons." he also played deacon ernest frye in the sitcom "amen." hemsley was 74 years old. republican leaders are calling for a criminal investigation into president obama's campaign... after ads were filmed in the west wing of the white house housein this ad... the president poses in the map room... located on the ground floor of the white house. take a look. :02-:10 "you have a take a look.the white house. take a look. :02-:10 "you have a choice to make. not just between two political parties or even two people. it's a choice between two very different plans for our country. according to r-n-c chair reince priebus... it's illegal to solicit political contributions from any area of the white house... used for official business. but the white house

and gordon w. cowden, 51. please join me as we pray. heavenly father we come to you now and ask that the comforter of your holy spirit would wrap your arm around each one who tonight suffers, suffers in their bodies, suffers in their mind. for those who are feeling the ripple effects, their families and their friends, may you comfort them. may you walk with them in the days ahead and may they continue to know that they have received an out pouring of new friends in this community, of new friends in this nation and that we as a family together will continue to love, to support, to encourage them and to help them in any way that we can. may the comforter of your holy spirit be with them in the night and in the wee hours when there are so few to talk to and most of all may they know your healing. may they know your love. may they know your power. may they know that they forever will know they are loved. and we thank you for your protection over each of them. in your son jesus' name, amen. >> thank you, pastor debbie. providing words of enc

. >> reporter: this afternoon the first funeral service for the oldest victim. 51-year-old gordon cowden took his two teenager daughters to see batman. >> the girls told us as they were leaving the theater that he was yelling after them, i love you. >> reporter: across the country flags are at half-staff. four service members are among the 12 victims soon to be laid to rest. amid the heartbreak, a rare moment of joy. first photos of hugo jackson medley, born in the same hospital where his father caleb medley is in a coma after he was shot in the head. >> a silver lining to a very dark cloud. but we all know caleb. we know he's a fighter. we know he's not going to stay out of that child's life. >> reporter: some good news for one family of the more than 70 people who were injured, but it comes as we get news that the suspect mailed what has been described as a chilling package. brian. >> miguel almaguer starting us off again tonight from aurora, colorado. miguel, thanks. >> and now back here in london, our conversation today with mitt romney. he flew overnight from reno, nevada. from here

earlier, the first memorial service paid tribute to 51-year-old gordon cowden who took his teenage daughters to the movie last friday. his girls were not hurt. teresa garcia, cbs news, aurora, colorado. >>> some of the colorado shooting victims who face costly medical bills do not have health insurance. three of the five hospitals treating the victims say they'll limit or completely eliminate the costs. a fund to help the victims has raised nearly $2 million. >>> they should be common sense. while the president embraced the idea of more control over gun sales, mitt romney says he does not believe congress should pass any new gun control laws. >> i'm a strong defender of the second amendment. i don't believe we need new laws. i need we need a better effort to identify and deter the people who are dee ranged. >> romney pointed out that the suspect broke several laws when he booby trapped his apartment with homemade grenades and explosives. >> the fact that it's illegal doesn't mean that did he ranged people don't do these things. >> romney passed a ban on assault weapons but says that doesn't

. >> reporter: the oldest victim 51-year-old gordon cowden was a devoted father at the movie with hiswo teenagers. 12 lives lost to their loved ones and the world. >>> this is a special report from nbc news. >> i'm chris jansing in aurora, colorado. we are waiting for president obama to speak at the university of colorado hospital. the president has been meeting with the families of the victims of friday morning's mass shooting at the local movie theater. 12 people were killed. 58 were wounded. here now is the president of the united states. we are still waiting for the president. let me bring in miguel almagear. we are learning people are still in the icu. >> we have been hearing stories of all of the victims that lost their lives. the youngest just 6 years old and the oldest, 51. they all had different stories. they were at the theater friday morning when the gunshots rang out. it has been a tough day for the community and victims of the families. the president has been hearing their concerns and now this community gathers about 5,000 people have come to the memorial to share their

. >> gordon cowden. >> we will remember. >> jessica ghawi. >> we will remember. >> john larimer. >> weill remember. >> matt mcquinn. >> we will remember. >> micayla medek. >> we will remember. >> veronica moser-sullivan. >> we will remember. >> alex sullivan. >> we will remember. >> alexander teves. >> we will remember. >> and rebecca wingo. >> we will remember. >> you can feel the emotion there in that crowd. you -- i watched the whole thing. before we went on the air tonight. it really was a moving service. government nor put a nice touch. let's remember the victims, not mr. holmes. and tell their story and remember the innocent lives lost friday morning. >> i don't believe president obama ever called holmes by his name. he called him, the perpetrator, the gunman. >> he did not. >> the coward. whatever. he did not. >> he did not. the governor at one point during his remarks said "i an not going to say his name." that got one of the biggest rounds of applause from the crowd. everyone is on the same page with them. >> as they later on, individual, as they said each of the victims' name

service was held yesterday for one of the 12 people killed in that shooting spree, 51-year-old gordon cowden was remembered as a loving father of two teenagers. >>> at least three local hospitals are pledging to limit or completely wipe out medical bills for survivors of the attack, although many of them will need all the help they can get. in the wake of that shooting, the subject of gun control remains part of the national conversation. president obama speaking to the national urban league last night in new orleans, said gun regulation shouldn't be controversial. >> i, like most americans, believe the second amendment guarantees an individual the right to bear arms. i think we recognize the traditions of gun ownership that passed on from generation to generation, that hunting and shooting are part of a cherished national heritage. but i also believe that a lot of gun owners would agree that ak-47s belong in the hands of soldiers, not in the hands of criminals. that they belong on the battlefield of war, not on the streets of our cities. i believe the majority of gun owners would agree that

today at the first of the funerals, about 150 people respects to gordon cowden. his family remembered him as a quick-witted world traveler with a keen sense of humor and devoted to his children. there are still 17 people in the hospital tonight-- six of them are in critical condition. now the worst drought in more than 50 years. 42 state are in dry conditions and today the agriculture department gave us its first prediction of what it could mean for food prices. by next year, beef could cost as much as 5% more. dairy products 4.5% more. and there could be a 4% increase on poultry and eggs. dean reynolds reports that we've already seen a 50% jump in the price of corn in just the last month. >> reporter: because corn is such an integral part of everyday food-- from livestock feed to sweeteners for sodas and snacks-- the poor yield this is year on farms like bob bleuer's in illinois can mean only one thing for prices. >> they're going to go up and they're going to go up big time. this country lives on corn. >> reporter: about 45% of the nation's corn crop is in poor

. >> reporter: the oldest victim gordon cowden was a devoted father at the movie with his teenagers. 12 lives lost to their loved ones and the world. >> and now to the latest on the investigation into the suspect, james holmes. while a motive for the shooting isn't yet clear a fuller picture is emerging of a detailed plan of attack that was months in the making. >> reporter: good evening, kate. one of the investigators who came out of the formerly booby trapped apartment say it was a sophisticated plan, a plan long on details and short on mistakes and ultimate the goal was maximum may hem. when the investigation of james holmes began early saturday morning it became clear how complicated the task might be. when bomb technicians used a controlled explosion to disable the trip wires and other triggers in his apartment police knew they were dealing with what they called an intricate scenario. they found 30 softball sized explosive devices. they also found items related to paint ball battles, a poster of a warrior in battle gear and reportedly one computer. police say holmes purchased fo