(CBS/AP) Family members of the victims in last month's Colorado theater shooting went public with their anger Tuesday afternoon over how a coalition was handling $5 million raised in their names.
Speaking on behalf of relatives of the 12 people shot to death and 58 injured at the midnight screening on July 20, Tom Teves - father of victim Alex Teves - accused nonprofits Giving First and the Colorado Organization for Victims Assistance (COVA) of poor leadership and politics that has prevented money from helping their families.
"This is awful. This [tragedy] is the worst thing that has happened in our lives," said Teves. "[Now] we have to stand and fight for the money Warner Bros. donated [for us]? People keep telling us they can't comprehend how we're feeling. You're right. You can't comprehend how our we're feeling."
So far, just over $5 million has been raised and $450,000 distributed. Of that, $350,000 went to COVA in order to provide $5,000 each going to the families of 70 victims to meet their immediate financial needs. The other $100,000 has gone to 10 nonprofit groups, according to the Community First Foundation website.
The families gave accounts of behind-the-scenes red tape and bureaucracy they have endured since a gunman dressed in body armor and a mask opened fire at a crowded movie theater in Aurora.
Alex Teves, 24, was killed while protecting his girlfriend. His father expressed frustration with how Giving First used the pictures of murdered loved ones without permission to reel in money that hasn't reached the victims' families. He also called on Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper to do more to help them.
"You pledged 12 times, 'We will remember.' Are you a man of your words? Or were they just words?" he said.
Hickenlooper was not immediately available for comment.
Among the teary-eyed people on stage were those who lost loved ones and others who were taking care of their injured sons and daughters. Relatives said they needed the money for things like paying for travel to Aurora, to help pay the bills when victims were unable to work and medical expenses.
"Nobody's trying to get rich," said the mother of Jorell Brooks, who was shot during the rampage. "We just want to be able to get through this thing with some sort of dignity."
A spokeswoman for the Aurora Victim Relief Fund, Kim Stuart said the group expects to identify who will lead the group in the near future and determine how the money will be spent.
Marla J. Williams, president and CEO of the Community First Foundation, charged by Hickenlooper to operate relief fund, told KUSA-TV that the nonprofit organization had problems contacting victims and the committee plans to add a representative of the victims' families. She said police secrecy and a court order sealing documents hampered efforts to help the families.
"In this case, there were some challenges in communication because of the gag order," Williams said.
She didn't immediately return a telephone call.
The suspect in the shooting, 24-year-old James Eagan Holmes, is charged with murder and attempted murder and two other counts.
Police said Holmes was heavily armed when he opened fire on the audience in a packed theater in the Denver suburb of Aurora during a showing of the latest Batman movie.
Holmes is being held without bail and has not entered a plea. Defense lawyers have said he is mentally ill.
At the press conference, the victims' families also expressed frustration about how Holmes was getting more attention in the media than the victims were. Teves only referred to him once, calling him "the coward."
