Colorado Church Shootings 12-09-07

A mere 13 hours after the shooting of missionary trainees at the Faith Bible Chapel Campus in Arvada, another shooting incident occurred in Colorado Springs' 10,000-member evangelical New Life Church. One parishioner was fatally shot and six people were wounded before the gunman was killed by a New Life security guard.

In Arvada, Tiffany Johnson, 25, and Philip Crouse, 24, died from their gunshot wounds. Two other shooting victims, Dan Griebenow, 24, and Charlie Branch, 22, are hospitalized, one in critical condition.

In Colorado Springs at the evangelical New Life Church, a heavily-armed man similar in description to the Arvada gunman (white male, 20-ish) entered the vestibule and began firing with a high-powered rifle shortly after shooting at a van in the parking lot. One church member was killed before a female security guard fatally shot the gunman.

Arvada Police Chief Don Wick said there is reason to believe that the two incidents may be related. Colorado Springs Police Chief Richard Myers cautiously said no links between the two episodes have been identified.

Investigators, reportedly numbering 25, are now directing efforts to a home in unincorporated Arapahoe County. Arvada Police entered the home with a search warrant.

The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office is assisting. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the FBI are on the scene. The Arapahoe County Bomb Squad arrived shortly before 10 p.m. As of 10 p.m. Sunday, investigators were taking boxes out of the house.

The Colorado Springs Police Department is taking over the investigation. 

Two people who are believed to be the homeowners left with sheriff's deputies around 9 p.m.

No names nor findings have been reported as yet.

Interestingly, according to a comment thread on the DenverPost.com, the extreme leftists are already blaming the shootings on the Bush administration, the Republicans and God's wrath for homophobia.

Also interesting is the comment thread at DailyKos. Readers there take the opportunity to disparage Fox News while blaming the Colorado shootings on the lack of gun control, the lack of services for the homeless and Christianity.

Personally, I believe everyone should hold off on finger-pointing until more information emerges.


[Update 12/10/07, 0615 EST]

Another victim has died. According to Amy Sufak, spokeswoman at Penrose Community Hospital in Colorado Springs, the hospitalized victim from the New Life Church died last night. The total shooting deaths thus far is five, including a gunman.


[Update 12/10/07, 1445 EST]

Dead gunman has been identified as Matthew Murray, 24.

Murray was home schooled and his last known address was at his parents' home in unincorporated Arapahoe County -- the same home investigators searched Sunday night.

It is still unknown whether the two shooting incidents are related. (Tip: allahakchew)


[Update 12/11/07]

From the Rocky Mountain News:

Matthew Murray, who turned 24 five days before he unleashed terror on religious centers in Arvada and Colorado Springs, spent three to five hours a day on his home computer, taking classes and, in recent weeks, sending hate mail to the missionary training center where the shootings began.

Murray - who was positively linked to both shootings through ballistics - died after a shootout with a security guard at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. That deadly confrontation came after attacks on the Youth With A Mission center in Arvada early Sunday morning and on New Life Church a little more than 12 hours later.

Investigators on Monday weren't sure whether the security guard, Jeanne Assam, killed Murray or he took his own life.

Pastor Phil Abeyta, the uncle of Matthew Murray, issued a statement asking for forgiveness for the Murray family.

Companion post at The Jawa Report.