Shooting victims' fund begins disbursement

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AURORA, Colo., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- A fund of more than $5 million in donations for victims of the Aurora, Colo., movie theater shootings has begun releasing money to victims' families, it said.

The "7/20 Recovery Committee" announced Aug. 17 it had distributed $350,000 thorough the Colorado Organization for Victim Assistance to help cover the immediate needs of some affected by the shooting, which left 12 dead and 58 injured on July 20. It gave $100,000 more to non-profit organizations in the area, it said.

The committee, a loosely organized group of representatives from government and community agencies, meets weekly but remains disorganized since it was formed last month, the Denver Post reported Tuesday.

It was unable to determine if meetings were open to the public or the media, the newspaper said.

The group has not yet chosen leadership, City of Aurora spokeswoman Kim Stuart said, adding it "has created a structure and established a purpose. Very soon they will identify who will fill the leadership roles of the committee."