At least 14 people were reported killed and scores wounded today when a masked gunman opened indiscriminate fire at the premiere of the latest Batman movie 'The Dark Knight Rises' in Denver in the US.

The gunman, who was in full body armour, targeted a crowded cinema hall in the city of Aurora in Colorado, a suburb of Denver, reports said.

Witnesses said the gunman, wearing a gas mask, opened fire and set off a type of smoke or tear gas bomb at the Century Theater in Aurora Mall near Denver.

Several people were wounded as the movie premiere turned into a carnage.

It quoted police spokeswoman Cassidee Carlson as saying that "the scene is still very active and we have little information for release at this time."

A bomb disposal squad had been sent to the scene of shooting. Further details are awaited.