Alexander Jonathan 'AJ' Boik, an 18-year-old male, had a promising future ahead of him. A recent graduate of Gateway High School, he was known for his love of baseball, music, and pottery, with dreams of becoming an art teacher. He had been accepted to the Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design and was looking forward to starting classes in the fall. His family described him as a wonderful and loving young man with a warm heart, who brought smiles and quick wit to every occasion.
Friends remembered him as a 'ball of joy' who was always happy and wanted the same for everyone around him.
On the night of July 20, 2012, Boik went to the Century 16 theater in Aurora, Colorado, for a midnight screening of 'The Dark Knight Rises.' He was there with his girlfriend, enjoying a summer evening. Their date turned into a scene of terror when a lone gunman, dressed in tactical gear, entered the theater, set off tear gas grenades, and opened fire on the audience. In the chaos that ensued, Boik was fatally wounded. His girlfriend survived the physical onslaught but was left covered in his blood after trying to help him. In total, 12 people lost their lives in the senseless act of violence, and dozens more were injured.
The perpetrator of the massacre was identified as James Eagan Holmes. He was arrested by police shortly after the shooting. Holmes was charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. Following a lengthy trial, he was convicted in 2015. The jury was unable to unanimously agree on the death penalty, and as a result, Holmes was sentenced to 12 consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 3,318 years for the attempted murders and explosives charges related to his booby-trapped apartment. There were no other suspects or arrests in connection with the shooting.
