Matthew Murray

Mass Murderer

Matthew Murray and the 2007 Colorado Church Shootings

Overview

Matthew John Murray was a 24-year-old gunman responsible for two connected shootings at Christian religious organizations in Colorado on December 9, 2007. The attacks occurred approximately twelve hours apart and more than 60 miles from each other. Murray first opened fire at a Youth With a Mission training center in Arvada and later attacked New Life Church in Colorado Springs. He killed four people and wounded five others before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after being confronted and shot by an armed church security volunteer. The victims included two young staff members at the missionary center and two teenage sisters attending New Life Church with their family. Murray arrived at both locations carrying firearms and large quantities of ammunition. Investigators concluded that the same gunman committed both attacks, linking the incidents through physical evidence, witness descriptions and weapons recovered after Murray's death.

Background of Matthew Murray

Matthew Murray lived with his parents in Englewood, Colorado. He had been raised in a deeply religious household and had previously attended a missionary training program operated by Youth With a Mission, commonly known as YWAM. In 2002, he enrolled in a program connected to the organization's Arvada facility but did not complete it. Murray was dismissed from the program after staff members became concerned about his behavior. The dismissal reportedly prevented him from participating in an overseas missionary assignment, and investigators later found indications that he remained resentful toward the organization. In the years following his departure, he communicated angrily about Christianity, religious institutions and people he believed had rejected or mistreated him. Before the shootings, Murray made threatening and hostile statements on internet discussion boards. Some of his writings reflected anger toward religious organizations, while others referred to violence and previous mass shootings. These postings became an important part of the later investigation, although authorities determined that Murray acted alone.

The Youth With a Mission Shooting

The first attack occurred shortly after 12:30 a.m. on Sunday, December 9, 2007, at the Youth With a Mission training center in Arvada, Colorado. The facility was located near Faith Bible Chapel and provided housing and instruction for young missionaries and staff members. A Christmas banquet had taken place at the center earlier that evening. Approximately 45 people were still inside when Murray arrived and knocked on a door. He asked whether he could stay at the facility for the night. Staff members told him that they could not provide him with lodging but offered to help him find another place to stay. After being refused permission to remain at the center, Murray produced a 9mm semiautomatic handgun and began shooting. Four staff members were struck. Tiffany Johnson, the center's director of hospitality, and Philip Crouse, a staff member, suffered fatal injuries. Dan Griebenow and Charlie Blanch were wounded but survived. Murray fled before police arrived. Officers searched the surrounding neighborhood with police dogs and issued warnings to nearby residents. Fresh snow covered the area, but investigators were unable to locate the shooter. The people remaining inside the YWAM building were evacuated to another facility while police processed the scene and began identifying the attacker. ...

Confirmed Victims: (4)

Philip Crouse 22 yr old Male

Despite Shots From Security Guard