Cynthia Davis, center, visits the roadside memorial set up for victims of the Colorado shooting massacre across the street from the Century 16 movie theater on Monday, July 30, in Aurora, Colorado. Twelve people were killed in the theater early July 20 during a screening of "The Dark Knight Rises." Suspect James Holmes was taken into custody shortly after the attack. More photos: Colorado movie theater shooting
(CNN) -- President Barack Obama offered comfort Sunday night to the survivors and the families of the 12 people killed in a mass shooting in Aurora, Colorado, never once mentioning by name the man accused of opening fire in a crowded movie theater.
"I confessed to them that words are always inadequate in these kinds of situations, but that my main task was to serve as a representative of the entire country and let them know that we are thinking about them at this moment, and will continue to think about them each and every day," Obama told reporters after the meeting at the University of Colorado Hospital, one of several area medical centers that treated the 58 people wounded in Friday's attack.
Though much attention has been paid to the "perpetrator of this evil act," that spotlight will fade, leaving behind just the good memories of those impacted by the tragedy, Obama said.
Focusing on the victims, not the suspect
James Holmes, 24, is being held in connection with the shootings early Friday morning and the subsequent discovery of his booby-trapped apartment, which the authorities believe he rigged before leaving for the Century Aurora 16 multiplex. He is scheduled to appear in court on Monday morning.
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Obama recounted stories told to him by the victims' families and those recovering from injuries.
"It reminds you that even in the darkest of days, life continues and people are strong," the president said. "Out of this darkness a brighter day is going to come."
Obama spoke before the start of a prayer vigil that brought together state and local officials with thousands of residents.
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper read the names of those killed. And to each name, the crowd responded: "We will remember."
Pastor Robin Holland led a prayer for comfort.
"City of Aurora, the healing has begun. Your presence here is the step of healing that this nation needs to see. And I am so proud to be a citizen of Aurora, Colorado," he said.
Residents lit candles, while balloons, flowers and simple, white crosses collected at a makeshift memorial.
"It is not this senseless act of violence that marks us as a community. It is the lives and acts of these heroes and the innumerable acts of kindness, love, and care for our neighbors that defines who we are," Aurora Mayor Steve Hogan said at the vigil.
"We will reclaim our city in the name of goodness, kindness and compassion."
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The man accused of opening fire inside the theater left a trail of evidence that the police say suggests the shooting was part of a calculated plan that included killing anyone who tried to learn more about him in the aftermath of the attack.
The authorities have said little about what they believe was the motive of the accused shooter, though investigators say there is evidence planning was under way for months.
Holmes received a high volume of deliveries over the past four months to both his home and work addresses, which the police believe begins to explain how he got his hands on some of the materials used in the attack and those found at his apartment, said Aurora Police Chief Daniel Oates.
"What we're seeing here is evidence of, I think, some calculation and deliberation," Oates said.
Gov. Hickenlooper told CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that he spent a day going from hospital to hospital, talking with survivors.
He concluded that Holmes was a person who wanted to terrorize and instill fear in people's lives, but said he can't conceive of a motive.
"This is a deeply troubled, twisted, delusional person," he said.
Shooting survivors recount Colorado movie theater horror
One survivor, Josh Nowlan, sustained gunshot wounds, but said he is happy just to be alive. He wouldn't be, he said, if the suspect's weapon had not jammed.
"I know I wouldn't be here. If that gun did not jam, I am full certain that I probably would not be here," he said from his hospital bed Saturday.
Echoing Nowlan's comments, a law enforcement source with direct knowledge of the investigation said Sunday that a semi-automatic rifle used in the killings jammed, apparently because of a problem with the 100-shot magazine feeding it.
The military-style AR-15 had a separately purchased drum magazine, which can have trouble feeding bullets into the firing chamber if the gun is fired rapidly, the source told CNN on condition of anonymity.
Victims recalled through poignant stories
Investigators say the rifle was one of three guns used by the suspect, along with a shotgun and a .40-caliber pistol.
Police gained access Saturday to Holmes' apartment after intentionally detonating two rigged explosives.
Technicians, with the help of a robot, worked to handle traps, wires and possible explosive and incendiary devices, Jim Yacone, a special agent with the FBI, told reporters Saturday.
The operation proceeded with an eye toward preserving evidence, all of which will be sent to an FBI lab in Quantico, Virginia, Yacone said. Among the items seized from the apartment were a Batman poster, Batman mask and a computer, according to the law enforcement source. The shootings occurred during a screening of the new Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises."
Tales of heroism abound from tragedy
Hundreds of residents were evacuated from five buildings, including the modest, three-story brick building where Holmes told the police he had rigged his top-floor, one-bedroom apartment with explosives. All occupants except those who live in the suspect's building were allowed to return home Saturday night.
Share your tribute to the victims on CNN iReport.
CNN's Chelsea J. Carter, Kyung Lah, Carol Cratty, Ed Lavandera, Susan Candiotti, Joe Sutton, Mike Brooks, Sarah Aarthun and Jim Spellman contributed to this report.
© 2013 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
People visit the roadside memorial set up for victims of the massacre on Monday.
Visitors pray around a cross at the memorial across the street from the theater on Saturday, July 28.
Jeremy Blocker displays a new tattoo honoring the victims.
Members of Alex Sullivan's family embrace at a memorial across the street from the Century 16 movie theater on Thursday, July 26.
Hello Kitty-themed flowers are sent to shooting victim Micayla Medek's funeral Thursday in Denver.
Pallbearers carry Micayla Medek's coffin during her funeral at the New Hope Baptist Church on Thursday.
People visit a memorial across the street from the Century 16 movie theater on Thursday, July 26, in Aurora, Colorado.
Angella Aquilis, left, and Maria Olivas mourn together at a makeshift memorial across the street from the Century 16 movie theater Wedesday, July 25.
Yvonne Amaro, 9, prays for those injured and killed as she visits the memorial on Wednesday.
Carrie Hensley, left, and Hailee Hensley mourn together on Wednesday.
Kevin Flynn, left, Aurora Police top brass division chief, and Cmdr. Jack Daluz visit the makeshift memorial.
A couple embraces as "Dark Knight Rises" star Christian Bale and his wife, Sandra Blazic, wait to place flowers at the memorial on Tuesday.
Bale places flowers at the memorial while other mourners look on.
Visitors pay tribute Tuesday, July 24, at the makeshift memorial.
A cross stands at the makeshift memorial for victims across the street from the Century 16 theater on Tuesday.
Greg Zanis of Aurora, Illinois, carries two of the 12 crosses he made for a makeshift memorial to the victims of last weekend's mass shooting at the Century 16 movie theater on Sunday, July 22.
Greg Zanis writes the names of the victims of last weekend's mass shooting on the crosses before erecting them at the memorial across from the Century 16 movie theater on Sunday. Zanis, a carpenter, drove all night from Illinois to deliver the crosses.
Parishioners pray during morning Mass, remembering victims of the theater shooting, at the Queen of Peace Catholic Church on Sunday.
Angie Terry of Alabama prays next to a white wooden cross erected for victims.
A man pauses before the crosses at the memorial near the Century 16 movie theater on Sunday.
President Barack Obama embraces Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper as Sen. Mark Udall, left, and Sen. Michael Bennet look on during a visit to the University of Colorado Hospital on Sunday.
Mourners bow their heads in prayer during the vigil for the victims of the Aurora shooting.
A woman is overcome with emotion during the vigil.
Tiffany Garcia, right, and her 6-year-old daughter, Angelina Garcia, cry on Saturday, July 21, as they look at a memorial for the victims of Friday's shooting.
People pray at a cross erected at the makeshift memorial across the street from the Century 16 theater on Saturday.
Family, friends and former classmates of movie theater shooting victim A.J. Boik gather for a memorial service at Gateway High School on Saturday.
Boik and his girlfriend were at the midnight showing of 'The Dark Knight Rises' when a gunman killed Boik and 11 other people.
Movie theater shooting victim A.J. Boik's girlfriend, Lasamoa Croft, center, embraces his mother during the memorial service.
Eman Alexander, 17, pins a ribbon on his shirt while joining family, friends and former classmates to honor shooting victim A.J. Boik.
Denise Toepel of Denver sheds tears while visiting a makeshift memorial across the street from the Century 16 movie theater on Saturday, July 21.
Handwritten signs decorate the makeshift memorial across from the Century 16 movie theater on Saturday.
Gerald Wright, 24, relights candles that have blown out at the victims' memorial across from the movie theater.
Aviation Boatswain's Mate 3rd Class Jajuan Mangual lowers the American flag on the flight deck of the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush to half-mast on Saturday. One U.S. Navy sailor was killed in the shooting and another injured.
Two women mourn near the theater on Saturday.
Alicia Prevette, left, and Paul Stepherson attend a vigil for the victims Friday at the Century 16 movie theater.
A woman lights a candle at a makeshift memorial where the victims of the massacre are mourned.
Mourners hold hands at a vigil near the theater.
Mourners hug as they grieve the loss of the victims.
A group of teenagers stand behind a sign that reads "Strength."
Dara Anderson, left, and Monique Anderson cry during a candlelight vigil across the street from the crime scene.
A woman holds a lit candle at a makeshift memorial.
Marietta Perkins of Denver prays for victims and their families.
Lonnie Delgado, right, hugs Heaven Leek during a prayer.
A mourner grieves on the curb during a memorial service.
People hug during a vigil for the victims.
Handwritten consolation letters lie beneath flowers at a makeshift memorial.
Nathan Mendoza, left, and Melissa Clark sit on the grass during a vigil.
Flags, flowers and candles make up a memorial site.
Two mourners sit on the ground at a vigil.
A sign prevents moviegoers from wearing masks or bringing in props to the AMC Arapahoe Crossing 16 movie theater in Aurora.
A woman looks at a makeshift memorial after attending a candlelight vigil.
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