Steven Ostergaard was having a rough trip at a convention in Colorado. He fell and broke his arm Wednesday, but was excited to see the new Dark Knight movie in Aurora, Colorado.
That night turned into a day he will never forget.
It hasn't settled with me yet, because I haven't accepted it as reality, because we've talked about it so much, it's like a story," Ostergaard said.
He heard a hiss, saw smoke and eventually heard the popping of what turned out to be gunshots as he sat in the theater adjacent to the shooting. An 18-year-old boy in his group was hurt.
He says, Ow, I'm hit! I'm bleeding! I turn around I see it and I grab him by his shirt and I pull him outside. I don't know why honestly, because I didn't think anything was wrong," Ostergaard said.
The chaos he saw is something he will never forget. In all, 12 were killed in the theater right next to where Ostergaard and his group were sitting that night. One of the victim's grew up a short distance from where 27-year-old Crystal Lake sailor John Larimer did.
"I'm just grateful that I'm safe and I'm able to tell my story because a kid the same age as me, graduated the same year as me in the town next door, died. It's weird for me because I don't know him, but he's the exact same age as me and for some reason we were both in the movie theater a thousand miles. Why him instead of me? It's hard to comprehend that," Ostergaard said.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:46 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:46:28 GMT
Thieves have struck a Streeterville area construction site a handful of times over the past week, taking tools and construction materials, police said.
Thieves have struck a Streeterville area construction site a handful of times over the past week, taking tools and construction materials, police said.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:36 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:36:47 GMT
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
The Obama administration has picked a private attorney and former federal prosecutor to head the U.S. attorney's office in Chicago, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin announced Thursday.
Thursday, May 23 2013 4:12 PM EDT2013-05-23 20:12:19 GMT
Six elementary students were taken to hospitals as a precautionary measure after the inflatable playground equipment they were enjoying at a northwest suburban school tipped over.
Six elementary students were taken to hospitals as a precautionary measure after the inflatable playground equipment they were enjoying at a northwest suburban school tipped over.
Thursday, May 23 2013 3:03 PM EDT2013-05-23 19:03:12 GMT
BREAKING UPDATE: The jury reached a verdict in the Donald Trump condo trial on Thursday afternoon. The verdict will be read at 2:15 p.m. and the Dirksen Federal Building.
BREAKING UPDATE: The jury reached a verdict in the Donald Trump condo trial on Thursday afternoon. The verdict will be read at 2:15 p.m. and the Dirksen Federal Building.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:22 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:22:23 GMT
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Things are going to be very busy at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this weekend. Many travelers will also hit the roads for Memorial Day, and they'll pay the price at the pump.
Thursday, May 23 2013 2:18 PM EDT2013-05-23 18:18:06 GMT
Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It was a compromise backed by Speaker Michael Madigan.
Illinois legislation allowing public possession of concealed guns has passed the House Judiciary Committee. It was a compromise backed by Speaker Michael Madigan.
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