An early morning shooting on February 16, 2024, at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs (UCCS) left two people dead, shaking the university community.
The Colorado Springs Police Department in Colorado received a report of gunfire at the Crestone House dormitories at approximately 5:59 a.m.
When police arrived, they found an adult male and an adult female with fatal gunshot injuries. The El Paso County Coroner’s Office identified the victims as Celie Rain Montgomery, a 26-year-old from Pueblo, Colorado, and Samuel Knopp, a 24-year-old from Parker, Colorado. Knopp was a registered student at UCCS. Montgomery was not.
The incident, which was initially speculated to be a murder-suicide, is now being treated as a double homicide. Nicholas Jordan, a 25-year-old UCCS student from Detroit, is suspected to be the shooter. Police arrested Jordan on Monday morning after he was identified in a vehicle, according to authorities.
Based on the ongoing investigation, it is believed that this was a targeted event involving individuals who knew each other, not a random act of violence against the campus community or its students, as stated in a release from the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD).
Following the incident, the university issued a lockdown and shelter-in-place order to ensure the safety of the campus. These orders were lifted later the same day. University officials also announced the cancellation of classes through Monday.
Adam Trujillo, a UCCS student, recounted his shock at receiving an email from a professor about the lockdown and seeing a large police and media presence on campus.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has promised state resources to monitor the situation and work closely with university and public safety officials. Additionally, the university is offering counseling services to students and staff.
Normal university operations resumed on Monday, with classes scheduled to start after Presidents’ Day on Tuesday.
In light of the tragic events, a healing walk started at the Roaring Fork Dining Hall at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 19th. UCCS Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet, Student Body President Axel Brown, and UCCS Chief of Police Dewayne McCarver spoke briefly during the event.
Chancellor Sobanet shared her deep sense of sorrow and the emotional impact this event has had on the university community.
This tragic event has significantly impacted Colorado Springs’ homicide count, doubling it compared to the previous year. The police are encouraging the public to provide any information that could aid the ongoing investigation.