I had to be off-line for the past three hours. Please fill me in. Is all they have reported is that the gunman is still laying dead in the church, and the shooting in Arvada *may* be connected to the shooting in the Springs?
My latest understanding (and I was AWOL for the past hour—grading papers), is:
the dead gunman is still lying where he dropped (killed by a sharpshooter woman security guard) because he could be rigged with bomb(s), there were 4 people dead at this church, there may be explosives in a vehicle; there may be another shooter from this incident; it may be related to the Arvada shooting, where the gunman is still at large (where two people were killed).
1st shooting...12:30 a.m. missionary school, Arvada. 20-ish man in black spent several minutes speaking with people inside the dorm. Peter Warren, director of Youth With a Mission Denver, said the man asked whether he could spend the night. When told he couldn't stay, the man opened fire, then left on foot. 2 young people dead. 2 injured.
2nd shooting: Shortly after 1pm. 70 miles south At New Life megachurch in Co. Springs. Perp plants bombs around...said seen throwing objects out of car up against buildings. He gets out and starts shooting in parking lot. Female volunteer security guard shoots and kills him. But he has already killed one, and seriously wounded 4 others. He fits vague description of perp in Avada. Cops are comparing notes.
Police in Arvada said they had "reason to believe" the shootings at New Life were connected with shootings at a missionary training center there. The same missionary training program has a small office at the New Life Church's World Prayer Center.
According to eye witnesses, the shooter was described as skinny, in his 20s, about 6 feet tall and dressed in black. His pockets were bulging with what looked like shotgun shells and the gunman looked to be wearing something like bullet-proof vest and a black trench coat.
While the assailant's identity has not yet been confirmed, police said they are already seeking search warrants for his vehicle and home for evidence that might explain the attack. So far authorities do not know of any connection he had to the church
Police, firefighters and federal agents were combing the grounds hours after the incident, finding "suspicious" devices. Late Sunday, the church is under lockdown, and police are using a robot to determine whether the man had a bomb strapped to his body.
Three people were taken to Penrose Community Hospital in Colorado Springs, where they were listed in critical, fair and good condition
As authorities searched for answers to two crimes that defied explanation, perhaps nothing illustrated just how bizarre the day was than a plea issued by Arvada Police Chief Don Wick.
All faith-based communities, he said, should be on the lookout for trouble.