AURORA, Colo. — A reporter from a national media outlet is saying that Aurora theater shooting suspect James Holmes told police he was “the Joker.”

Aurora Police Chief Dan Oates denied earlier reports from his former boss at the NYPD that Holmes was dressed like the Joker, the classic villain from the Batman franchise. Oates said Holmes was cloaked in “all black” attire.

But CNN’s Susan Candiotti said reports about Holmes connection with the Joker may have just been misinterpreted. Candiotti is now  reporting that while Holmes may not have been dressed like the Joker, a federal law enforcement source told her that Holmes had colored his hair red and told police that he “was the Joker.”

Holmes was wearing a riot gear helmet that hid his hair color during the attack.