University senior and woman shot dead in campus dorm in mystery attack
The two people shot dead in a college dorm at the University of Colorado Springs have now been identified in what is being investigated as double homicide.
Identified as 24-year-old Sam Knopp and 26-year-old Celie Rain Montgomery, the pair were found with one gunshot wound to the head each, when police rushed to the scene after shots were fired on the campus at around 6 am on Friday.
Knopp, was a senior at college and a musician who played the guitar, however, Montgomery did not attend the university and it is unclear what their relationship was.
Colorado Springs Police said: “At this point in our investigation, this incident does not appear to be a murder-suicide and both deaths are being investigated as homicides.” Police said this was an “isolated incident” and the he coroner's office will determine the cause of death.
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Alongside his twin sister Ellie (Amy Elswick Knopp/Facebook)Knopp was said to be a valued member of the Visual and Performing Arts department. Montgomery was a single mother of two, who worked as a freelance copywriter specializing in health and wellness. After the shots were fired a campus-wide lockdown ensued for 90 minutes but the shooter was not found at the scene. Later the lockdown was narrowed down to Crestone House, a student apartment complex on campus.
Knopp, pictured with his mother, was a talented musician and a valued member of the performing arts society (Amy Elswick Knopp/Facebook)Knopp's mother, Amy, posted online when she heard of shots fired on the campus. She said: “There were reports of an active shooter on campus at UCCS where our son, Sam, is a senior. At least one person is dead. I haven't heard from Sam. He lives in Alpine Village, where residents were told to shelter in place. The campus is in lockdown and is now closed today.
“PLEASE EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE BUT IT'S THE GODDAMNED GUNS! This hits way too close to home and it makes me want to vomit. All the 'thoughts and prayers' in the world mean nothing without action to back them up.”
On Friday the campus briefly entered lockdown after the shots were fired, which was lifted after an hour and a half with police spokesperson Ira Cronin saying: "We don't believe at this point that there is any ongoing threat to the community." The campus was closed for the day in response to the shooting.
Police said: "We are in the very early stages of piecing together what happened. We are in the process of notifying family members of the deceased individuals. We don't believe there is an ongoing threat to the community, and we are investigating this as an isolated incident."
An investigation has been launched after two were found dead in a University of Colorado dorm room (KOAA)CU Colorado Springs said in a note to faculty and staff that emotional support would be available adding: "We know that today has been difficult, and that as a campus we are all grieving. Thank you for your patience, understanding and support as we have worked through this difficult day.”
So far no suspects have been found. Police said: “Given this case's active and fluid nature, additional information about those leads and any potential suspect details will not be released at this time. While acknowledging the difficulty of the situation and the withholding of information in the initial stages of the investigation, we owe it to the victims and their families to deliver accountability and justice for this horrific act.
“These are the third and fourth homicides in the City of Colorado Springs this year. At this time last year, there were two homicides.'' A healing walk to honor the victims is scheduled for Monday on the UCCS campus at 2pm.
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