Christian Bale: 'My heart goes out to massacre victims'

Christian Bale has offered his condolences to the cinemagoers shot dead by a gunman at a showing of The Dark Knight Rises in Colorado on Friday (20Jul12).

The actor, who plays Batman in the blockbuster, has told of his "horror" after learning 12 fans waiting to see his movie at midnight were killed in a theater rampage in Aurora.

A statement from Bale reads, "Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."

James Holmes, 24, is in police custody accused of killing 12 and injuring up to 50 others when he opened fire on the packed auditorium.

Director Christopher Nolan has also offered his sympathy to victims' loved ones in a statement.

He writes, "Speaking on behalf of the cast and crew of The Dark Knight Rises, I would like to express our profound sorrow at the senseless tragedy that has befallen the entire Aurora community... Nothing any of us can say could ever adequately express our feelings for the innocent victims of this appalling crime, but our thoughts are with them and their families."