After a young survivor of the theater shooting testified Wednesday in the trial, Twitter users rallied around him.
Before he testified, Gage Hankins tweeted:
Well, here goes nothing.
— Gage Hankins (@ghankins93) May 13, 2015
Hankins testified that he was visiting the Denver metro area attending a convention for young people who stutter. He and some friends decided to attend the midnight Batman premier in Aurora on July 20, 2012, and purchased tickets for Theater 8.
A few minutes into the film, James Holmes opened fire in the neighboring theater, Theater 9.
Hankins was wounded by a projectile that passed through the wall.
"I looked and saw that there was blood on my forearm and I wasn't sure where it was coming from," he said, bravely persevering in front of the crowded courtroom, despite his speech impediment.
He also had to raise his arm and show the jury where the bullet entered and exited.
After his testimony, Hankins tweeted again.
Testifying for this trial was quite the experience
— Gage Hankins (@ghankins93) May 13, 2015
Afterward, many Twitter users and trial watchers reached out to Hankins to praise him.
@StrawberrixGirl thanks!
— Gage Hankins (@ghankins93) May 13, 2015
@ghankins93 Thank you for your bravery today. Good luck to you.
— HvyMetalChick (@Judy80zinTX) May 13, 2015
@ghankins93 You don't know me and I don't know you, but I wanted to say that I'm proud of you. Stay strong.
— Tim? #FreeBrady (@Timmay4L) May 13, 2015
HUGE shoutout to @ghankins93 for testifying like a boss today at the Holmes trial. Love you bud, you rock! #HankinsIsMyHero#PrayForAurora
— Emily Irwin (@emirwin) May 13, 2015
Holmes in on trial for killing 12 people and injuring 70 others on July 20, 2012. He has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity.
