The suspect behind a deadly shooting in Colorado that killed 12 and injured 58 more during a midnight showing of “The Dark Knight Rises” on Friday, July 20 reportedly served as a counselor at a camp run by Jewish Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Los Angeles.
NBC 7 San Diego KNSD reported on Saturday that during the summer of 2008 the alleged shooter, James Holmes, 24, was a cabin counselor at Camp Max Strauss and was “responsible for the care and guidance of a group of about 10 children.”
The NBC story quotes a statement from Randy Schwab, CEO of Jewish Big Brothers and Big Sisters, which runs Camp Max Straus, that says Holmes “helped [campers] learn confidence, self esteem and how to work in small teams to effect positive outcomes.”
The Journal has attempted to contact Schwab via phone and email but had not heard back from him as of Saturday afternoon.
Providing young-adult mentors for young Jewish children in working-class and single-parent homes, Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters owns and operates Camp Max Strauss, according to the Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters official website.
Located in the Verdugo Mountains of Los Angeles County, Camp Max Strauss is a nonsectarian camp serving underprivileged children ages 7-14. The camp provides transportation to and from camp, sports activities, arts and crafts, cooking classes, Judaica classes and sing-alongs with Jewish song leaders and rabbis.
Police arrested Holmes, 24, following the shooting and are currently holding him in custody.
