A 25-year-old man has been arrested for the murder of two people who were shot to death in a Colorado college dorm last week.
Nicholas Jordan, of Detroit, is accused of shooting Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, and Sam Knopp, 24, on Friday at Crestone House on the UCCS campus.
The Colorado Springs Police Department said he was detained on Cliff Point Circle East in the city at 8:37 a.m. Monday. A booking photo for Jordan has not yet been released.
“Investigative efforts continue to indicate that this was an isolated incident between individuals who knew each other and not a random attack against the school or other students at the university,” the department said.
Montgomery was a single mother of two daughters, ages five and seven, according to a Facebook post by a bereaved relative who responded to his death, while Knopp was a talented music student. It is not clear what their relationship was.
Celie Rain Montgomery (pictured), 26, was identified along with Sam Knopp, 24, after what police believe was a double murder last week.
Sam Knopp, 24, was named as one of the victims of a shooting at a dormitory at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, on Friday.
Sam Knopp appears with his mother, Amy, in a photo posted online
Jordan is being held in the El Paso County Jail charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
“At this point in our investigation, this incident does not appear to be a murder-suicide and both deaths are being investigated as homicides,” Colorado Springs police previously said.
The coroner’s office will determine how they died, but each person was shot at least once in what appeared to be an “isolated incident,” police spokesman Ira Cronin said at a briefing.
Knopp, was a senior music student at the university and was said to be a beloved member of the Visual and Performing Arts department. He was an accomplished guitarist and a very talented musician.
Meanwhile, Montgomery worked as a freelance writer specializing in health and wellness. She was not a college student.
The campus-wide lockdown lasted about 90 minutes and then was isolated to Crestone House, a student apartment complex on campus, school spokesman Chris Valentine said.
A police officer stands outside a dormitory at the Village at Alpine Valley housing Friday as police investigate a shooting on the University of Colorado campus in Colorado Springs.
Knopp, was a talented senior music student in college.
Surprised students look out their dorm window at Village at Alpine Valley housing units
When police officers arrived at the room around 6 a.m. Friday, they found Knopp and Montgomery dead, shot in the head.
After the shutdown, the campus about 70 miles south of Denver remained closed for the day.
Knopp’s mother, Amy, shared her concerns online just as the shooting was taking place.
‘There were reports of an active shooter on the UCCS campus where our son, Sam, is a senior. “At least one person has died,” he wrote.
‘I haven’t heard from Sam. He lives in Alpine Village, where residents were told to shelter in place. The campus is closed and it is closed today.
‘PLEASE EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE BUT THEY ARE THE DAMN GUNS! This hits too close to home and makes me want to vomit. All the ‘thoughts and prayers’ in the world mean nothing without action to back them up.’
Once it became clear that her son was one of the victims, messages of condolence followed.
“I am so sorry for your loss and praying so much for you and your family,” Brittany Craig wrote.
‘Amy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. “My deepest condolences are broken,” said Diane Sigl.
“I’m so sorry Amy, I’m angry and heartbroken that we lost Sam,” Elsa Ge added.
Sam Knopp is seen with his twin sister Ellie.
Sam, left, and his sister Ellie appear together in a family photo.
“Given the active and fluid nature of this case, no additional information regarding those leads or possible suspect details will be released at this time,” a news release from the police department reads.
“While we recognize 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 be held accountable and seek justice for this horrific act,” police said.
‘These are the third and fourth homicides in the city of Colorado Springs this year. Last year at this time there were two homicides.
The campus was also closed over the weekend, but drop-in counseling was offered at the wellness center both days, the university said.
The university has said classes will be canceled on Monday, but drop-in counseling will also be offered and spaces will open on campus to offer food and support.