Shooting at New Life Church Colorado Springs at Bene Diction Blogs On

Shooting at New Life Church Colorado Springs

Shortly after 1 pm Colorado time a gunman opened fire at New Life Church, (a none denominational mega church founded by Ted Haggard) New Life Church has about 10 thousand members. The church has cancelled the remainder of it’s events today and will be closed tomorrow.

Colorado City police aren’t confirming whether the New Life Church gunman is in custody or dead - nor if 4 people were wounded as some news outlets are reporting. Colorado City police are reported as saying they have a man in custody.

Church officials have spoken to media saying less than 10 people were wounded, currently the extent of their injuries remain unknown.
The Sheriff’s department also spoke to media. Rocky Mountain News:

The conditions of the people shot outside the New Life Church were not known, El Paso County Sheriff’s Lt. Lari Sevene said.

Lance Coles, a pastor at New Life Church, told The Associated Press he received a report that a man was shooting at people in the church parking lot and that the gunman may have entered the church shortly after 1 p.m.

Police believe the shooter may be “down” inside the church’s main sanctuary.

Officers said one person was detained in the investigation, but wouldn’t confirm a statement from a church official that the lone gunman was dead. Hundreds remained locked in church buildings as police conducted what they said was a precautionary search for additional gunmen, police Lt. Fletcher Howard said.

This is the second shooting at a Colorado church property today. 2 people were killed at a YWAM (Youth with a Mission) centre in Arvada about 70 miles from Colorado Springs early this morning. 2 were wounded. The Colorado Springs church has a Youth with a Mission satellite office, there is no word on whether the shootings are connected.

Reports remain wildly conflicted regarding the New Life Church shootings. International news is reporting five people dead including the gunman, according to El Paso County Sheriff Terry Maketa. KOAA:

A 9NEWS source has confirmed the gunman was shot and killed by a security guard. Authorities also found an improvised explosive device.

Authorities have not confirmed that the suspect is dead. They say they have one person in custody. Police are not releasing any information about what kind of weapon was used in the attack or the suspect’s status. 9NEWS has learned the gunman was dressed with a tactical helmet and body armor.

Amy Sufak, a Penrose Community Hospital spokeperson (Colorado Springs) has told local news three people were being treated and were listed in critical, fair and good condition.

Update: Police have confirmed the gunman is dead, a church member is dead (KOAA is reporting the deceased is a teen age girl) and four were wounded. Police are saying they have reason to believe the two events are linked.
Update: The 2 dead New Life Church attendees were sisters. Fox News:

Stephanie Works, 18, and Rachel Works, 16, were killed when the gunman entered the main foyer and opened fire with a high-powered rifle, police said.

One of the three people who were injured in the attack was David Works, 51, who was in fair condition with gunshot wounds in his abdomen and groin area, police said. They didn’t say whether he was related to the two girls who died. (other news sources identify David Works as the girls father)

Update: The shooter has been indentified as 24 year old Matthew Murray of Denver. An anonymous police source says he killed and wounded YWAM staff in Arvada and killed 2 teenage sisters at New Life Church in Colorado Springs. The unnamed police source told media that Murray ‘hated Christians.’ CP

The Denver Post
The Colorado Springs Gazette

Published 1 year ago

9 Responses to “Shooting at New Life Church Colorado Springs”

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1 NICK BARTOW on Dec 9th, 2007 at 5:59 pm

WHAT IN GOD’S NAME IS GOING ON AT A CHURCH WHERE THEY ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO BRING GUNS TO CHURCH. AM I THE ONLY PERSON IN AMERICA WHO FINDS THIS TRAGIC EVENT WILDLY CRAZY. CHURCH-GUNS, GUNS-CHURCH, PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE AMMO. I CAN SEE A FAMILY GETTING READY TO GO TO CHURCH AND THE LAST THING THE WIFE SAYS TO HER HUSBAND BEFORE THEY LEAVE IS” OH HUN DID YOU PACK THE SPECIAL”. A YOUNG GIRL LOST HER LIFE , SHOT TO DEATH WHILE AT CHURCH. SERIOUSLY WHAT IS GOING ON.
2 BD on Dec 9th, 2007 at 7:37 pm

Nick, I don’t know.
We sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.

There are a lot of families grieving tonight.
3 Kate B. on Dec 10th, 2007 at 8:27 pm

Nick - She had volunteered to act as a security guard because she had a law enforcement background. The church had brought on extra security due to the shooting the day before. If she hadn’t had that gun, a lot more victims would be listed today. This isn’t the time to play the “Crazy Christians” game.
4 Bene D on Dec 11th, 2007 at 8:46 am

Kate, I’m not sure Nick is playing games. I think he is expressing genuine anguish, as many have. Christians are capable and called to caring for and embracing the mentally ill or emotionally unbalanced. It’s the risk love takes, and we can do no less.

Christianity Today looks at mega churches - they are the size of towns and the article explores why the US properties used armed security.
I’m not commenting on US gun laws, I’ve seen and talked with armed people at two US parachurch sites and looked down the wrong end of the barrels of guns on a mega church property. I have no desire to repeat the experience, nor to set foot on a mega church property again. It’s no different than choosing to to attend other large events, sporting and entertainment venues. Others will feel, think and believe differently.

http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2007/decemberweb-only/150-25.0.html
5 shawna wright on Dec 11th, 2007 at 9:38 am

I pray that the grief the churchmembers at New Life church will someday be able to stop asking “why’. The gunman obviosly had a prior history of mental illness, but the attacks only make me realize that we’re closer to the end times, if we feel the need to have a security guard at church,where we as christians shoul feel the safest,what next? I have friends that attend that church and pray for their safety and all other members. May the Lord comfort those who mourn. In His name,Shawna Wright
6 Bene Diction on Dec 11th, 2007 at 10:23 am

Yes Shawna, thank you. He was mentally ill, YWAM has acknowledged that. Religious ideation is often a part of delusion. What is sad is most people suffering from mental illness do not harm others, media and society has difficulty acknowledging that reality. It can be particularly difficult to come to terms with in sheltered religious environments.
Those that knew him and his victims are going to be questioning for a long time. I hope they are able to receive impartial and sound support.

People know ‘why’ now.
And familes bury their children.
May God be with them.
7 Michael on Dec 21st, 2007 at 11:30 am

Stop and smell the coffee all of you anti-selfdefense types out there. What would have happened if a trained, licensed, private citizen wasn’t there to protect that group of church goers? Would you like to have seen 100 dead? 1000 dead? The whole purpose of those who want the ability legally to carry firearms is chiseled in stone in this one occurance. The cops can’t protect us. Neither can the anti-gun lobby. Only we can protect ourselves. And if Americans are forced to give up that right, only the criminals, the insane and the drugged up citizens will still have their weapons. You’re right there will be no “defensive” weapons on the streets at that point….only “offensive” ones. Who will protect you then?
8 Bene Diction on Dec 21st, 2007 at 1:31 pm

Micheal:

There are 194 countries.
There are Christians in each and every one of them.
Would you be kind enough to tell us in the thousands of times His followers meet under all kinds of circumstances daily, the instances they chose to arm themselves, and used lethal force on their armed followers or armed others.

To keep it simple, just name the countries, denominations and circumstances where Christians gathered for worship, chose to kill others for protection, believing it was their right and responsibility. 2007.

I won’t ask you to provide alternatives, that seems to be a none-starter for you.
If you’d care to explain to us how Jesus Christ is honoured by you choosing this ‘level of protection’ feel free.
Pepper us with your special bible verses if you want.

I asked that US gun laws be kept out of this discussion.

You chose to dishonour that request.
Knock yourself out tough guy.
Fire the last word.