"The Dark Knight Rises" star Christian Bale visited survivors of the horrific Colorado shooting Tuesday, according to various sources.

He thanked medical staff and police officers who responded to the attack that killed 12 people and injured 58 others.

According to Access Hollywood, Bale visited with little advance and also stopped by a makeshift memorial to victims near the movie theater that was showing "The Dark Knight Rises" midnight screening at the Aurora Century 16 theater. Many visitors didn't realize who he was or chose to leave him alone.

Carey Rottman, one of those injured in Friday's shooting, posted two photos of himself with Bale on his Facebook page.

Janie Bowman-Hayes, assistant vice president of surgical services at sister hospital Swedish Medical Center, said she and co-workers were attending a luncheon at The Medical Center of Aurora to thank staff who tended to victims. "When we got there, then we found out he was there," she said.

Bale, humble and dressed casually in a black T-shirt and jeans, thanked the staff, shook hands and agreed to have his photo taken with employees, Bowman-Hayes said.

"He just said he wanted to come to thank all of us because he has been thinking about this. He knows the whole world has been thinking about this," she said. "He took it upon himself to come and thank us."

Bale, who stars as Batman in "The Dark Knight Rises," previously issued a written statement saying: "Words cannot express the horror that I feel. I cannot begin to truly understand the pain and grief of the victims and their loved ones, but my heart goes out to them."

"The patients were really happy to meet Bale," Hospital interim president Bill Voloch said. ''They are obviously big fans of his movies. They wanted to see Batman and were really pleased to see Bale."

According to Mercury News, Voloch said Bale spent two and a half hours at the hospital, where he met with five patients. Two other patients from Swedish Medical Center came to meet Bale.
"It was good for the patients," Voloch said. ''We hope it was therapeutic for them, and all the staff really appreciated him coming."

The alleged shooter, James Holmes, 24, made his first appearance in court on Monday. He is accused of opening fire at the Aurora movie theater at the midnight screening of "The Dark Knight Rises." He used four weapons, one AK-type assault rifle, a shotgun, and two handguns. He was also wearing a bulletproof vest and goggles and tossed tear gas into the crowd and started randomly shooting.

According to E! Online, DC Comics has decided to delay by a month the release of its highly anticipated new comic Batman, Incorporated #3 out of concern for the victims of the Colorado shooting.

The news was further confirmed over Twitter by Batman, Incorporated artist Chris Burnham.

"Batman Inc #3 is going to be delayed a month due to some grim imagery that would seem wholly inappropriate given the Aurora killings," he tweeted.

The new comic book is now set to release Aug. 22.