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Gunman at New Life Church Identified Save Email Print
Posted: 3:00 PM Dec 10, 2007
 Last Updated: 8:23 AM Dec 12, 2007
 Reporter: KKTV
Email Address: news@kktv11news.com
29 comments
A | A | A

Law enforcement officials have identified the shooter from Sunday's deadly rampage at New Life Church as 24 year old Matthew Murray, a Denver man who "hated Christians."

Five people including the gunman were killed, and five others wounded Sunday in two attacks. The first occurred at a youth missionary training center in the Denver suburb of Arvada. The other occurred at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, where the gunman was shot and killed by a security guard.

Arvada Chief of Police Don Wick says Murray was the gunman in both attacks. He confirmed that forensic evidence found at New Life Church, and at the scene in Arvada match, linking the two deadly scenes.

Chief Wicks also said Murray once belonged to Youth with a Mission, which has campuses at both shooting scenes, but he was somehow removed from the group in 2002.

Murray lived in suburban Englewood. He was the son of a neurologist who is a prominent researcher on multiple sclerosis.

At this time authorities believe there are no indications of other suspects, but the investigation is still on-going.
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Posted by: Jack Location: Security on Dec 13, 2007 at 01:03 PM
To Matt, 'Aunonomus' and Marc, and anyone else who questions guns in a church, This is Colorado, we invented the 'make my day law' We had the Columbine incident, Coloradans carry guns, we make a point of it anymore, We shoot criminals here, we dont mess around. If this was some yuppie church in New Hampshire, im sure he would have killed a hundred people who would have sat idly by and let them selves get killed, We are survivors. New Life once got in trouble for training missionaries in handling these situations. Im surprised there was only one guard with a gun there. Christian churches have had armed guards since the begining. We just live in a society thats not used to it anymore. My deepest condolences to the families, I know what its like to lose someone like that, I wish there was something I could do for you. In the meantime, I will stay vigilant and rest assured, I will shoot anyone who threatens an innocent myself, even if its in a church.
Posted by: The Agnostic Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 11, 2007 at 03:04 PM
The KKTV report contains a quote that the shooter "hated Christians." Anyone know the source of the quote?
Posted by: Astonished on Dec 11, 2007 at 02:16 PM
Wow. I am dumbfounded by some of the comments on here. Some people can be very egoistic. ...Aside this, I was there. My son turned 6 that day. I cry when I realize that it was real. It was a real life situation! I want to think it was a dream, but in fact wasn't. I don’t understand the "real" motive as to why a young person would do this. I’m 24 as well and graduating college this Friday. I can’t imagine trying to take others lives for revenge.
Posted by: Sarah Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 11, 2007 at 11:40 AM
Words of encouragement, prayers, and thoughts for the Works family can be sent to wordsforworks@gmail.com
Posted by: mark Location: cs on Dec 11, 2007 at 11:24 AM
Man, that person "anonymous" and the taser gun argument is about as poor an observation of reality as I have ever heard. The old statement used to be, "dont take a knife to a gunfight". Let "anonymous" take a taser to a gunfight and maybe the old statement will change!!!!
Posted by: Christian Girl Location: C/S on Dec 11, 2007 at 11:18 AM
I CANT understand why this person hated Christians so much. I cant beleive that his hate brought him to shoot 2 churches. What good would it do eliminating Christains? Well since he couldnt be punished here on Earth, I am sure he is has delt with the Father for his actions. And I am sure it WASNT worth it.
Posted by: Cassie Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 11, 2007 at 09:34 AM
Why is everyone acting so immature? New Life, is a wonderful place to worship... I love taking my family there and just because something evil like this happened I am not planning on running away in fear... Fear is from the Devil... Fear is the reason for violence and crime... Fear is not taking the lord into your heart and giving your life to him... Fear is the reason why that young man felt he needed to hurt others... Fear is the root of the problem... So where do i go to dispell my fear and let Jesus into my heart... New Life. Colorado has been a center for tragedy for a long time because it has so many wonderful faith based operations... When you are in a position of power or great respect there is always going to be someone that wants to take that away, Jesus is the perfect example, his work in Colorado that is an example, and to run away from New Life, to run away from "Danger" is to run away from him.
Posted by: Andrea Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 11, 2007 at 09:23 AM
I am just thankful that further damage was not done. Thank God that something was done about this already-horrible situation. You know, I feel sorry for the parents of that gunman as well. I am certain that they did not plan for their son to do this either. We need to be praying for any and all who were involved, and stop with with bickering. We need to keep our eyes on the Lord, and perhaps not as much on each other!!! :)
Posted by: A Vet Location: C/S on Dec 11, 2007 at 06:29 AM
Someone, you're welcome to go live in some third world country.
Posted by: someone on Dec 11, 2007 at 12:04 AM
I honestly can understand the dislike for Christians, but fact is this is no way to express that. It's a shame to see the loss of life caused by this, but as sad and cold as it may sound. This is the world we live in now. It is as simple as that.
Posted by: Marc Location: C/S on Dec 11, 2007 at 12:02 AM
Anonymous needs to wake up and take a look at the world. Had the security guard NOT acted in the manner she did hundreds could have been injured or killed. It's bad enough as it is but she kept it from being worse. As has been said before... There are sheep and there are wolves, in between are the sheepdogs there to protect the sheep, no matter where they are or what function they are attending. Sorta like a wolf but willing to do things sheep can't or won't but there to do their best to keep the sheep safe. I won't even address the TASER comment, too easy. I'm glad the church took the steps it felt it needed to. If people think bad things can't happen anywhere, they are kidding themselves. You lock your doors at night, you wear seat belts, you have insurance. Why? Just in case. My thoughts go out to the families of the victims and those injured.
Posted by: Donna Location: C/ on Dec 10, 2007 at 09:34 PM
Alice.......It's not the gun that is violent. It is the person.
Posted by: Tricia Location: Texas on Dec 10, 2007 at 08:47 PM
I am a Christian and I am not a "violence-monger". However,I would not stand by and let someone who was shooting at my friends and family continue to shoot if it where in my power to stop him. I know that God will judge all and it is not my place to judge but I don't believe that God would want me to stand by while innocent people where being killed either. My condolences go out to all the families that have been affected by this senseless tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May God grant you the strength and peace to deal with this tragedy and help you all to recover fully. I understand everyone has their opinions on this matter but would it really hurt to be kind and thoughtful to those who have suffered and to those who express opinions that vary from our own? Just a thought.
Posted by: john Location: tx on Dec 10, 2007 at 08:29 PM
our prayers are with the families involved in this horrible tradegy. we lift up all those of the New Life church family and YWAM. may all those who are in need and burdened, seek the presence of the Lord Jesus.
Posted by: Kay Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 10, 2007 at 08:22 PM
Anonymous...I would have liked to see YOU take out the guy with a tasing gun! What were you going to do walk up and say "Excuse me" You would have NEVER been able to get close enough to the guy to do so. He would have blown YOU away in a heart beat. Tell me, how do you suppose you could have done it? This deranged man took the lives of innocent young people. You are right, it's God's place to judge but God gave us brains to use and expects us to use them. Get a CLUE!!!
Posted by: Steve Location: C/S on Dec 10, 2007 at 07:06 PM
The ugly comments here are a direct reflection of just how ugly this city has become.
Posted by: Jeff on Dec 10, 2007 at 07:06 PM
sure thing anonymous. Maybe you should jump in front of a gunman. One less person that has a stupid opinion.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 10, 2007 at 06:34 PM
I think Matt was just pointing out how wrong it feels to be attending a church where VOLUNTEER security guards are wielding LETHAL weapons. I mean it's a CHURCH for pete's sake. It's just that all of you violence-mongering 'Christians' seem to be absolutely ecstatic that your security guard blew the guy's brains out, when in fact the situation could have been resolved JUST as effectively using a tasing gun. If I were Matt, I too would feel uncomfortable about attending a church where the people have no qualms about killing another human being. I, personally, would rather die than stoop to the gunman's level. Even if someone were to kill my best friend, that doesn't justify me taking his life; it's God's place to judge his punishment, not mine. "An eye for an eye and the whole world goes blind." There are a whole lot of kids who learned on Sunday that killing is OK under the right conditions, when in fact it is wrong under EVERY circumstance.
Posted by: Alice Location: Springs on Dec 10, 2007 at 06:22 PM
Poor Matt, a man with testosterone who can't spell.
Posted by: The RnR Girls Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 10, 2007 at 06:12 PM
My daughter and I are so sorry to hear about what occurred at New Life. We had made a few friends there during National Day of Prayer activities. You are loved God fearing people. HE will bring you through this! Thank you for giving God the Glory, as you should, and telling the country about the awesome help the Holy Spirit gives... much more than the "power" of the enemy! GOD BLESS YOU ALL! The RnR Girls
Posted by: Alice Location: Springs on Dec 10, 2007 at 06:09 PM
It will always take a woman to bring a man to their knees. Testosterone and violent weapons don't mix - WHEN will we LEARN this.
Posted by: john Location: colorado springs on Dec 10, 2007 at 05:47 PM
matt,you are a ahole.learn to spell.just read what he wrote.
Posted by: Adam on Dec 10, 2007 at 05:47 PM
matt...Dude grow up. She has a back ground in law enforcement. I see that you need to seek God a whole lot more. I carry a gun all the time. I'm licensed to, would you know....? Im praying for you brother. This is a time that people need to stick together in a situation like this. Would God leave you? Never... Trust God Jeremiah 29:11
Posted by: Phil Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 10, 2007 at 05:38 PM
What on earth are you thinking? The shooter had thousands of rounds of ammo and could have taken out your precious 5 year old and we would have had an even bigger tragedy on our hands. Think about that.
Posted by: Josh Location: Colorado Springs on Dec 10, 2007 at 05:32 PM
Matt, you are an idiot! At what point did you forget that we live in a world where people are willing to walk into schools, shopping malls and "CHURCHES" to kill innocent people? At what point did you decide that it is okay to point blame at someone who took action to prevent this person from inflicting more harm? People like you make it difficult for those who have lost loved-ones to grieve. You should be ashamed of yourself! I don't know what fantasy world you live in, but the rest of us understand the world as it is here in a place we like to call - REALITY! Furthermore, I don't care if the Security Guard who stopped this "crazy" has been trained by the Spec Ops community of the military or just an occasional shooter. Does that really matter here? I think not! And to suggest that some of those hurt were the result of this person’s courageous action, without knowing all the facts, is an ignorant statement. You are just another drama queen trying to create a conspiracy.
Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 10, 2007 at 05:29 PM
Matt are you kidding me? For you to hint that the heroic lady that took out the shooter may have killed one of the victims is sick. And you ask why there is armed security? Well I don't think there is a better lesson in why we have that here at church then what happened here yesterday. Without her heroic actions the casualties could be hundreds times worse. Once again the question on why we have armed security is pretty obvious.
Posted by: cassy Location: colorado springs on Dec 10, 2007 at 05:27 PM
I live and have been a member of New Life Church throughout my HighSchool. I recently moved and starting attending college. When I heard about this it was devestating. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone who is a member and lives in the nearby community.
Posted by: Matt on Dec 10, 2007 at 04:12 PM
Why does a church have armed security???I know this is one of the largest churches in the country, I will never go back. I have a 5 year old girl, and knowing they here are poeple walking around that are carring guns in a church makes me sick. I would not be surprised if one of the bullits that hit the patrons was from the security guard. What training do they have? What back round do they have. This is unacceptible.
Posted by: Bob in N.Y. Location: Upstate New York on Dec 10, 2007 at 03:51 PM
So sorry for your suffering and loss. Thankfully you had security in place to thwart more tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
 
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