You are all missing the point!
This was the work of a devoted anarchist who was a member of the Occupy Black Bloc, the violent wing of OWS.
He was ready for a fight. The body armor, leg armor, throat guards, helmet and vicodin show this man was ready for combat. The vicodin would allow him to continue fighting if a bullet got through his protection.
The tear gas served three purposes. It concealed his location, created panic and caused eye and throat irritaton to anyone who may have had a firearm.
10 police officers could have been in that theater with their weapons and James Holmes would have probably killed them all.
This was well-planned. Think Ted Kazinski, not Jared Loughner.
What’s your insight into his Occupy membership, other than the completely speculative comments from the detective in Florida who had less knowledge of the guy than 95% of everybody on FR?