Victims say Aurora theater shooter whereabouts secrecy violates rights

A state committee that handles victims’ rights issues is planning to take up complaints against the state corrections department that the agency violated their rights by refusing to reveal where the Aurora theater shooter is serving his life sentence.

Several survivors of the 2012 attack that killed 12 and injured 70 have said they are upset after prison officials quietly transferred the gunman to an out-of-state prison in January after he was attacked by another inmate. State officials have repeatedly refused to tell the public where or how he is being held.

The panel could require prison officials to provide details of the attacker’s confinement to victims, but it’s unclear whether they would be forced to comply.

The committee also could propose ways the department can keep victims better informed in the future.