1 from area killed in movie gunfire

ST. PARIS, Ohio (WDTN) - Three people with ties to the Miami Valley were caught in the gunfire that erupted in a Colorado movie theater early Friday during a midnight showing of the new Batman movie.

Springfield native 27-year-old Matt McQuinn, who was a 2004 Vandalia-Butler High School grad, was killed in the gunfire while protecting his girlfriend, 26-year-old Samantha Yowler.

Johnson-St.Paris District Fire Chief Scott Massie told 2 NEWS his stepdaughter, Samantha Yowler, was shot in the leg and is in a Denver area hospital. Samantha's brother, 32-year-old Nick Yowler was not injured.

The news of the shooting traveled quickly around St. Paris.

"All these people did was go to a movie and look what happened," says Cheri Howard, who was taking her grandchildren for ice cream in town. "What's going on with the world."

Samantha Yowler and Matt McQuinn were among the 59 wounded and 12 killed. Massie said the couple moved to Colorado last November. Nick Yowler has lived in the Denver area for about ten years.

"We're all connected somehow and it's a small world," says St. Paris Mayor Brenda Cook about the town's link to one of the worst shootings in U.S. history.

The families whose loved ones were at the theater have released the following statement through their attorney:

"Both the Yowler and McQuinn families thank everyone for their concerns, thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Currently, both families are attempting to learn the condition of their family members in Denver. The families ask for everyone to be patient and respect their wishes during this very difficult time. The family will provide an update when information is available. " - Rob Scott, Attorney for the Yowler and McQuinn families.

Police arrested 24-year-old James Holmes, whose apartment four miles away from the theater was booby trapped. Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates said Holmes wore body armor, used an assault rifle, a shotgun and a Glock handgun during the attack.