Two people who were shot to death in a dormitory at the University of Colorado – Colorado Springs have been identified as Sam Knopp, 24, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26.
Knopp and Montgomery were found with gunshot wounds to the head when police responded to the shooting around 6 a.m. Friday. It is not clear what their relationship was.
The 24-year-old victim, who was a senior in college, was remembered as a talented musician who played the guitar. Montgomery did not attend college.
“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 said.
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
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.
Sam was a senior studying music in college 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.
A single mother of two young children, Celie worked as a freelance writer specializing in health and wellness.
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, 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. She wrote online: ‘There were reports of an active shooter on the UCCS campus, where our son, Sam, is a senior. At least one person has died.
‘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.’
Sam Knopp is seen with his twin sister Ellie.
Sam, left, and his sister Ellie appear together in a family photo.
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.
So far, no suspects have been arrested or named in the active investigation.
“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.
Police did note that the shooting was an isolated incident between people who knew each other and was not simply a random attack on the school or other students at the university.
“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.
A healing walk to honor the victims is scheduled for Monday on the UCCS campus at 2 p.m.