In the quiet neighborhood of Stratmoor Hills in Colorado Springs, a dispute between housemates culminated in a tragic end for an elderly woman. On the morning of Saturday, September 12, 2020, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office received a distress call reporting a shooting at a residence on Maxwell Street. When deputies arrived, they discovered the body of 83-year-old Christine Rush, a White female, inside the home.
Her life had been cut short in what would be described as an unprovoked act of violence.
Investigators found Ms. Rush deceased in a bathtub, fully clothed. The scene suggested a violent struggle, with the shower rod and shower head having been pulled down. Although the official cause of death was not immediately released by the coroner, evidence at the scene strongly indicated she had been shot. The investigation quickly pointed to her housemate, 58-year-old Rhaiyanna Earley, who had been living in the residence for about two months prior to the incident.
Witnesses reported that Earley shot Christine Rush without provocation and then proceeded to chase another resident, John Elrod, outside the house, firing several more shots at him. Elrod managed to escape unharmed. When law enforcement entered the home, they found Rhaiyanna Earley inside with her hands and forearms covered in blood, and her clothing stained. She was taken into custody without incident.
Subsequent investigations revealed a history of discord between Earley and the other residents of the household, with her behavior causing significant distress. Following her arrest, Rhaiyanna Earley was booked into the El Paso County Jail. She faced charges of first-degree murder for the death of Christine Rush and second-degree attempted murder for the attack on John Elrod. During the initial phase of the investigation, Earley declined to answer questions from detectives and invoked her right to an attorney.
