There is still much we don't know about the horrible theater shooting in suburban Denver. We do know a gun opened fire on unsuspecting moviegoers at a midnight showing of the new Batman movie. We know at least a dozen people are dead and more than three dozen injured. 

We know police recovered four guns at the theater. We know the suspect is 24 year old James Holmes. One of the things that jumped out at me was this statement: "preliminary information from law enforcement indicates there is no connection to terrorism." That is an absurd statement.

Of course this is a terrorist act. Excited moviegoers at the midnight showing of a much anticipated movie, captive in a dark theater suddenly have a gunman open fire on them. If that's not terrifying, what is? Of course this is an act of terror. And given the nature of the attack it seems altogether possible that terror was the motive.

Is there a connection to organized Islamic terrorism? No. Does it have to be connected to Al Qaeda or any other group to be an act of terrorism? Of course not.