Police have released a mugshot of the 25-year-old man arrested in the murders of a mother and a college student who were shot in a college dorm in Colorado last week.
Nicholas Jordan, of Detroit, is accused of shooting Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, of Pueblo, Colorado, and Sam Knopp, 24, of Parker, Colorado, on Friday at the Crestone House on the UCCS campus.
Colorado Springs police said Jordan was arrested “without incident” at 8:37 a.m. Monday on Cliff Point Circle East in a vehicle in the city.
“Investigative efforts continue to indicate that this was an isolated incident between individuals known to each other and not a random attack on 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 from a heartbroken relative reacting to her death, while Knopp was a gifted music student. It is unclear what their relationship was to each other.
Nicholas Jordan, 25, is accused of killing two people in the Colorado Springs shooting
Celie Rain Montgomery (pictured), 26, was identified along with Sam Knopp, 24, after police discovered a double murder last week
Jordan is being held in the El Paso County Jail and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
He was arrested after members of the Colorado Springs Police Department's Motor Vehicle Theft Unit found him in a vehicle Monday morning, police said.
“At this point in our investigation, this incident does not appear to be a murder-suicide and both deaths are being investigated as homicides,” the department 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 studied music in his final year at the university and is considered a popular member of the Fine and Performing Arts Department. He was an accomplished guitarist and an extremely talented musician.
Meanwhile, Montgomery worked as a freelance copywriter specializing in health and wellness. She was not a student at the university.
A campus-wide lockdown lasted about 90 minutes and was later limited to just Crestone House, a student housing complex on campus, school spokesman Chris Valentine said.
A photo from Nick Jordan's Facebook account
A police officer stands outside a residence hall in the Village at Alpine Valley on Friday as police investigate a shooting on the campus of the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs
Knopp was a talented senior who studied music at the university
Shocked students look out the window of their dorm in the Village at Alpine Valley
When police officers entered the room around 6 a.m. Friday, they found Knopp and Montgomery dead after being shot in the head.
After the lockdown, the campus about 70 miles south of Denver remained closed for a day.
Knopp's mother, Amy, shared her concerns online just as the shooting occurred.
“There have been reports of an active shooter on the UCCS campus where our son Sam is a senior. “At least one person is dead,” she wrote.
“I haven't heard from Sam. He lives in Alpine Village, where residents have been told to seek shelter there. The campus is in lockdown and is closed today.
“Please excuse my language, but it’s the damn weapons!” That comes way too close to me and I have to throw up. “All the 'thoughts and prayers' in the world mean nothing if they are not backed up by action.”
When it became clear that her son was among the victims, expressions of condolence followed.
“I am so sorry for your loss and praying so deeply for you and your family,” Brittany Craig wrote.
“Amy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. “My heart is broken, my condolences,” said Diane Sigl.
“I'm so sorry, Amy. “I am angry and heartbroken that we lost Sam,” Elsa Ge added.
Sam Knopp can be seen alongside his twin sister Ellie
Sam (left) and his sister Ellie are pictured together in a family photo
Sam Knopp, 24, was named as one of the victims of a shooting at a dorm at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, on Friday
“Given the active and fluid nature of this case, further information regarding these leads and any details regarding potential suspects will not be released at this time,” the police department said in a news release.
“While we are aware of the difficult situation and the withholding of information in the early stages of the investigation, we owe it to the victims and their families to provide accountability and justice for this terrible act,” police said.
“These are the third and fourth homicides in the city of Colorado Springs this year.” “There were two homicides this time last year.”
The campus was also closed on weekends, but walk-in counseling was offered at the wellness center both days, the university said.
The university said classes will be canceled on Monday, but in-person advising will also be offered and spaces on campus will be open for food and support.