A University of Colorado psychiatrist treating Aurora shooting suspect James Holmes had tried to discuss Holmes' case with the school's threat assessment team, a television station reported Wednesday.
According to the KMGH-TV report, the psychiatrist had concerns over Holmes' behaviour and notified the Behavioral Evaluation and Threat Assessment team that he could potentially be a danger to others. The television station based its story on the sources which it did not identify.
As per to these sources with knowledge of the investigation, psychiatrist Dr Lynne Fenton telephoned some members of the BETA team about graduate student Holmes in early June. It wasn't known what Fenton reportedly wanted to discuss, the station said.
The University website says the BETA team consists of key staff members from various CU departments who have specific expertise in dealing with assessing potential threats on campus. And, sources say, officials at the University of Colorado never contacted Aurora police with Fenton's concerns before the July 20 killings.
Fenton was a key member in setting up BETA in 2010, and she is currently one of the contacts for anyone who has concerns about an on-campus threat, ABC News reports. A University of Colorado spokeswoman acknowledged that Fenton is one of several trained CU contacts who can convene the team in consultation with the chairman. Apparently, the BETA team was created to address behavioral problems as well as potential security issues involving members of the campus community.
'Fenton made initial phone calls about engaging the BETA team' in 'the first 10 days' of June but it 'never came together' because while Fenton was having conversations with team members Holmes began the process of dropping out of school, a source reportedly told the TV station.
Sources also mentioned that they do not know if Fenton stopped treating Holmes after he dropped out of CU. It's also not known whether Fenton referred Holmes to any other mental health assistance, or if there was further contact with him or about him.
Holmes has been charged with the murders of 12 people and shooting of 58 others July 20 in an Aurora movie theatre during the premier of the new Batman movie.
