In the winter of 2007, a tragic event unfolded in Colorado Springs that cut short the life of 16-year-old Rachel Works. On Sunday, December 9th, Rachel, her parents, and her sisters were leaving a service at the New Life Church when a gunman opened fire in the parking lot. The sudden eruption of violence claimed the lives of Rachel and her 18-year-old sister, Stephanie.
Their father, David Works, was also shot and wounded in the attack.
Rachel was a high school student who was homeschooled and was an active member of the New Life Youth group. She was described as artistic, a romantic who loved epics, and had a passion for dance and music. She and her sister had even done missionary work overseas, traveling to China the year before the shooting with the Youth With A Mission organization.
The shooter was identified as 24-year-old Matthew Murray. Earlier that same day, Murray had killed two people and wounded two others at the Youth With A Mission training center in Arvada, a facility the Works sisters had participated in events at. After his rampage at the New Life Church, Murray was shot by a church security guard before taking his own life. The motive for the shootings was connected to his rejection from the Youth With A Mission program.
The loss of Rachel and Stephanie was a devastating blow to their family and the community. Their funeral was held at the same church where their lives were taken, with their father, still recovering from his injuries, speaking to the hundreds of mourners who gathered to celebrate the lives of the two young women.
