Father Says Seeing Suspect In Court Was 'All About My Son'
AURORA, Colo. (CBS4) - James Holmes, the suspect in the theater shootings, appeared in court to be advised of his rights on Monday, and the crowd in the courtroom included the father of a young man killed in the shootings.
Alex Teves, 24, was one of 12 people killed in the attacks. His father, Tom Teves, says he was the kind of person that really wanted to help others.
Alex Teves had a master's degree in psychological counseling and most recently used it as a tool to help young teens going through tough times. He was a hero and a protector and his father says Alex Teves was focused on living life.
"I just wanted to see him and I wanted to see there's people who care and aren't afraid of him," Tom Teves said. "First off I want to see what he looks like; second he doesn't look like much; third, it's not about him."
Tom Teves says it is about his son who was gunned down in the theater with his girlfriend by his side. Alex Teves reportedly used his body to shield her from the bullets.
"It's about my son, and who this individual dressed in riot gear, or whatever is, with guns, literally blew his head off because he was protecting her."
Alex Teves was a protector, a man whose life was dedicated to helping others.
"I wouldn't be where I am today without him," Thomas Trueax said.
Last year Alex Teves was a counseling intern where Trueax, 16, goes to school.
"I opened up a lot to him. I actually told him stuff I haven't really told anybody," Trueax said. "He helped me get through a lot this year."
For Trueax and his friends, Alex Teves was a real hero.
"We were talking about how we were both glad to actually say we know a superman," Trueax said.
A superman that helped at least one young life move forward.
"It's just such a loss, such a stupid pointless loss," Thomas' mother Jeanne Trueax said. "I would like him to know how much he helped Tommy and I would like to thank him."
"You've got to move forward. Alex would have expected us to live, we're going to live, Alex was all about life," Tom Teves said.
Humanex Academy, where Alex Teves was a councilor, says they are working to create a scholarship fund in his name.
Don't miss a special hour long report on CBS4 on Friday at 4 p.m. titled "Movie Theater Tragedy: Remember, Honor Support" which will look back at the week following the Aurora shootings.
