Tragedy struck Aurora, Colorado during a midnight show of The Dark Knight Rises last night. Fans were expecting to see their hero Batman, but instead faced a real life Joker, James Holmes.

According to CBS Local, 24-year-old Holmes shot and killed 12 people and injured over 70, including a three month old infant. He was immediately arrested behind the movie theatre. Anticipating this arrest, Holmes had already booby-trapped his home for police.

As several innocent victims continue to hang on to life, country music artists expressed their empathy and compassion on Twitter in various ways.

Billy Ray Cyrus took to Twitter when he first heard the news, and then posted a few hours later:

Oh no ! Just woke up and turned on the news “14 dead 50 hurt in Batman movie shooting”.Praying for victims. So sorry and sad. — Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) July 20, 2012

“Enough is enough…enough tears have been shed …enough hurt has been hidden…enough blood has been bled “. Praying for America. — Billy Ray Cyrus (@billyraycyrus) July 20, 2012

Charlie Daniels, who lives in Colorado, felt the home effects of this tragedy:

As part time resident of Colorado let me say how much I love the state and the people pray God will comfort you all at this terrible time — Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) July 20, 2012

Crazy day,the police had to shoot the tires out on a car about a mile ahead of us this morning,closed the road for about 3 hours. — Charlie Daniels (@CharlieDaniels) July 20, 2012

Meghan Lindsey was also shocked by the news, along with several other artists, including John Rich:

Just read about the #theatershooting in Colorado. Who could do such a thing? And why??? Praying for the victims and their families. so sad. — Meghan Linsey (@meghanlinsey) July 20, 2012

I can’t imagine my family being taken from me by a mad man in a movie theater. This is more than anyone can fathom. That’s Why I Pray. — John Rich (@johnrich) July 20, 2012

Shooting in CO is why ppl should have their carry permits. Had I been there I would have unloaded on that maniac till he stopped breathing. — John Rich (@johnrich) July 20, 2012

It is clear country artists are devastated by this horrific event. They are filled with compassion, anger and sadness. The saddest part is this tragedy is one of several to hit America in recent years. CBS Local reminds us on January 8, 2011 US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords and 18 others were shot during a public meeting in Tucson, Arizona. Six people lost their lives. Prior to that on November 5, 2009, 13 were killed and 30 others were wounded in a shooting rampage in Texas. This list goes on…will the killings ever stop?

For latest updates on this tragedy, please visit http://denver.cbslocal.com/tag/aurora-movie-shooting/

-Ashley Quadros, CBS Local Sacramento