SAN DIEGO -- The mother of James Holmes had no idea her son was believed to be the gunman who killed a dozen people in a Colorado theater until she was contacted hours after the tragedy at her San Diego home by a reporter, the family's lawyer said Monday.

At a news conference in San Diego, the family's attorney, Lisa Damiani (dah-ME-ah-nee), told reporters that Arlene Holmes received a phone call at 5:45 a.m. Friday from an ABC News reporter who asked if she was the mother of James Holmes who lives in Aurora, Colo.

"I did not know anything about a shooting in Aurora at that time," Arlene Holmes said in the statement.

RELATED: ARLENE HOLMES DISPUTES ABC REPORT

Authorities say Holmes opened fire on a crowded movie theater Friday at a midnight showing of the new Batman movie. Twelve people were killed and 58 were injured. James Holmes, 24, made his first court appearance Monday in a Denver suburb where he's being held without bond.

Damiani declined to say whether the suspect's parents were surprised their son was being accused of a crime or whether he had shown any signs of instability before July 20. Damiani said they would not publicly discuss details about their son.

PHOTOS: HOLMES IN COURT (Story Continues Below)

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  • James E. Holmes

    James E. Holmes, left, appears in Arapahoe County District Court, with defense attorney Tamara Brady, right, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations stemming from a mass shooting on Friday, July 20, in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

  • James E. Holmes, Tamara Brady

    People in the courtroom listen to the court hearing of James E. Holmes in Arapahoe County District Court Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is accused of killing 12 and wounding 58 in a shooting rampage in a Colorado theater on Friday, July 20. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

  • James E. Holmes

    James E. Holmes appears in Arapahoe County District Court, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations stemming from a mass shooting last Friday in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

  • In this image taken from video provided by KUSA.com, James Holmes, left, the suspected gunman in Friday's Colorado theater massacre, makes his first appearance in court with his attorney Tamara Brady in Centennial, Colo. on Monday, July 23, 2012. (AP Photo/KUSA.com)

  • Carol Chambers

    Carol Chambers, district attorney for the 18th Judicial District, speaks during a media availability after a court appearance by James Holmes at the Arapahoe County Courthouse, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Twelve people were killed and dozens were injured in a shooting attack early Friday at a packed theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." Police have identified the suspected shooter as Holmes, 24. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

  • James E. Holmes, Tamara Brady

    James E. Holmes, center, appears in Arapahoe County District Court, with public defenders Tamara Brady, right, and Daniel King Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is accused of killing 12 and wounding 58 in a shooting rampage in a movie theater on Friday, July 20 in Aurora, Colo. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

  • James E. Holmes

    James E. Holmes appears in Arapahoe County District Court, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations stemming from a mass shooting Friday, July 20, in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

  • David Sanchez

    David Sanchez, whose son-in-law was critically wounded, speaks after a court appearance by shooting suspect James Holmes at the Arapahoe County Courthouse, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Twelve people were killed and dozens were injured in the shooting attack early Friday at an Aurora, Colo., theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

  • Family members of a victim from last week's theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., link hands as they arrive for a court appearance by shooting suspect James Holmes at the Arapahoe County Courthouse, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Twelve people were killed and dozens were injured in the shooting attack early Friday at the packed theater during a showing of the Batman movie, "The Dark Knight Rises." (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

  • A woman, third from left, is led to the courtroom where James Holmes appears in Arapahoe County District Court, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is the suspect in the mass shooting last Friday in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others. (AP Photo/Barry Gutierrez)

  • Anggiat Situmeang,

    Anggiat Situmeang, center, who suffered an injury in last week's theater shooting in Aurora, Colo., is helped inside to see a court appearance by alleged shooter James Holmes, at the Arapahoe County Courthouse Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

  • James E. Holmes

    Assistant District attorney Karen Pearson speaks at a hearing for James E. Holmes in Arapahoe County District Court, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations stemming from a mass shooting last Friday in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

  • James E. Holmes

    James E. Holmes appears in Arapahoe County District Court, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations stemming from a mass shooting last Friday in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

  • James E. Holmes

    James E. Holmes appears in Arapahoe County District Court, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations stemming from a mass shooting last Friday in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

  • James E. Holmes

    James E. Holmes, left, appears in Arapahoe County District Court, with defense attorney Tamara Brady, right, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations stemming from a mass shooting on Friday, July 20, in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

  • James E. Holmes

    District Court Judge William Blair Sylvester speaks as James E. Holmes appears in Arapahoe County District Court, Monday, July 23, 2012, in Centennial, Colo. Holmes is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder, and could also face additional counts of aggravated assault and weapons violations stemming from a mass shooting last Friday in a movie theater in Aurora, Colo., that killed 12 and injured dozens of others. (AP Photo/Denver Post, RJ Sangosti, Pool)

When asked if they stood by Holmes, Damiani said, "Yes they do. He's their son."

Holmes, who has been assigned a public defender, is expected to be formally charged next Monday. He is being held on suspicion of first-degree murder.

"Everyone's concerned" about the possibility of the death penalty, Damiani said.

"They're doing as well as they can under the circumstances," said Damiani of the family, adding that they have been getting "amazing" support from their church.

The parents want to reiterate what they said shortly after the shooting, that their hearts go out to the victims and their families, Damiani said.

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misspelled Holmes' middle name as Egan.