A student at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs (UCCS) has been arrested on murder charges over the shootings of two people who were found dead in a dorm room last week. The suspect, Nicholas Jordan, 25, of Detroit, Michigan, was taken into custody on Monday after police located him in a vehicle. The victims, Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, and Samuel Knopp, 24, were both shot at least once in the early morning of Friday, February 16, 2024.
Background Information
The incident happened at the Crestone House dormitory on the UCCS campus, where police responded to a call about shots fired at around 6 a.m. on Friday. They arrived and found Montgomery and Knopp dead in a room. Montgomery was not a student at the school, while Knopp was a senior studying music and a member of the Visual and Performing Arts department. He was an accomplished guitar player and an extremely talented musician, according to the university chancellor.
Police said the shooting appeared to be an isolated incident between parties that were known to each other, and not a random attack against the school or other students. However, they did not reveal the nature of the relationship between the suspect and the victims, or the possible motive for the crime.
Arrest of the Suspect
Late on Friday night, the police obtained an arrest warrant for Jordan, charging him with two counts of first-degree murder. On Monday morning, the police’s motor vehicle theft unit found Jordan in a car in the 4900 block of Cliff Point Circle East in Colorado Springs. The tactical enforcement unit responded and took him into custody without incident. Jordan was booked into the El Paso County Jail, where he is being held on a $1 million bond. He is expected to appear in court on Tuesday, jail records show.
Police said they have collected evidence from the scene and the suspect’s vehicle, but did not disclose any details. They also said they have interviewed several witnesses and are following up on leads. They asked anyone with information or who witnessed the incident to contact them or Crime Stoppers.
Reactions and Updates
The UCCS community was shocked and saddened by the tragic event, which prompted the campus to go on lockdown for 90 minutes on Friday and cancel classes for the day and the weekend. The school also offered walk-in counseling and support services for students, faculty, and staff. On Monday, dozens of people gathered for a memorial walk to honor the victims and express solidarity.
The university chancellor, Jennifer Sobanet, issued a statement on Monday, confirming that Jordan was an enrolled student at the school at the time of the shooting. She also expressed her condolences to the families and friends of the victims, and thanked the police and the campus security for their swift and professional response.
The investigation is still ongoing, and police said they will provide updates as they become available. No new developments or charges have been announced as of Tuesday morning.
About Nicholas Jordan
According to his LinkedIn profile, Jordan is a graduate student at the University of Michigan, pursuing a master’s degree in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in the same field from the same university. He has been a research assistant at the university’s Plasma, Pulsed Power, and Microwave Laboratory since September 2023. He has also been a teaching assistant for several courses in nuclear engineering and physics.
Jordan’s profile also lists his skills and interests, such as plasma physics, fusion energy, computational modeling, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. He has several publications and presentations on topics related to his research. He has also received several awards and honors, such as the Rackham Merit Fellowship and the Outstanding Graduate Student Instructor Award.
Jordan’s profile does not mention any links to social media accounts, and his online presence appears to be limited. He has not posted any updates or comments on his profile since October 2023.
Conclusion
The Colorado dorm killing case has shocked and saddened the UCCS community and the public, as two young lives were cut short by a senseless act of violence. The suspect, Nicholas Jordan, is a student at the school and a graduate student at the University of Michigan, with a background and expertise in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences. He is facing two counts of first-degree murder and is being held on a $1 million bond. The police are still investigating the case and are seeking more information and witnesses. The motive and the relationship between the suspect and the victims remain unclear. The university is offering support and counseling to those affected by the tragedy, and is honoring the memory of the victims.
