A family in Crystal Lake are grieving with friends and neighbors after they received news their son was among the dead in the Aurora, Colorado movie theater after a gunman burst in Friday morning.
John Larimer was a petty officer third class in the U.S. Navy and stationed in Aurora. He was attending the new Batman movie “The Dark Knight Rises,” in the theater where the gunman, wearing a gas mask and black SWAT gear, opened fire inside the crowded theater.
His family released the following statement Saturday morning.
Last night about midnight a Navy notification team arrived at our house to let us officially know that our 27 year old son John was in fact one of the 12 killed at the theater in Aurora, Colorado. At this point our other son Noel is in Denver working with the Navy and the family here in Illinois to make arrangements to bring John home. We respectfully ask that the family and friends of John be allowed time and privacy to grieve for John and we send our thoughts and prayers out to the families of the other victims and those still recovering in the hospital. We love you John and we will miss you always.
Larimer was the youngest of five siblings. He graduated from Crystal Lake South High School in 2003, where a flag outside now flies at half staff.
Just over a year ago, Larimer joined the Navy and trained at the Great Lakes Naval Academy.
"His character can be summed up by his service to this country," Larimer's friend told NBC 5 Rob Elgas Friday night. "He is a military guy and he's proud of that. That says it all."
Earlier in the day, Larimer's father Scott expressed his concern after attempts to reach his son by phone for 15 hours went unanswered.
