Double Homicide in Colorado University Dorm: Roommate Charged with Murder
Tragedy struck the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs dormitory on February 16, when a double homicide occurred. Nicholas Jordan, 25, has been charged with the murder of his roommate, Samuel Knopp, 24, and Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, who was reportedly in a relationship with Knopp.
The incident sheds light on a tumultuous living situation between Jordan and Knopp. According to a probable cause affidavit released on Friday, tensions had been building up between the roommates for quite some time. In fact, a month before the fatal shooting, Jordan had reportedly threatened to kill Knopp if he was asked to take out the garbage again. The affidavit states, “Mr. Knopp collected (the garbage bag) and placed [it] near Mr. Jordan’s door,” which allegedly sparked Jordan’s death threats.
The conflict escalated further when Knopp and another roommate reported Jordan for “unsafe living conditions” and smoking in the room. Campus police had documented these reports in at least three separate incidents since early January. The same roommate who made the reports also mentioned to the police that Jordan’s living area was a mess and that he frequently smoked marijuana and cigarettes.
The situation had become increasingly untenable for Knopp. Just a day before his tragic death, Knopp confided in his music teacher, Jon Forshee, expressing relief that Jordan was due to move out the following night. Forshee shared, “He said he was eager to move out, that his dorm life wasn’t comfortable.”
On the morning of February 16, gunshots rang out in the dormitory, waking one of the victim’s roommates. They immediately called 911 upon hearing “the sound of a person moaning.” When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Knopp and Montgomery with fatal gunshot wounds. The roommate who made the call had locked the door and provided police with crucial information – a blurry figure seen running from the scene. Law enforcement officials believe this figure to be Jordan.
During his court appearance, prosecutors argued that Jordan was a flight risk, citing the fact that he was a new student in the process of withdrawing from the university. Jordan’s brother, Brandon, came to his defense, insisting that the police had apprehended the wrong person. He stated, “Keep looking because you got the wrong guy.”
However, law enforcement and prosecutors dispute Brandon’s claims. The probable cause affidavit reveals the existence of security cameras unknown to students. It contains an image captured by these cameras, showing a person in dark clothing running out of the dormitory buildings.
Authorities launched a search for Jordan’s black 2099 Ford Escape, which had been pulled over on January 20 for making an illegal U-turn. Finally, on Monday morning, the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Motor Vehicle Theft Unit located the vehicle. A tactical team swiftly arrested Jordan without incident around 30 minutes later. Upon searching his car, officers discovered an AK-47 and a handgun.
Nicholas Jordan now faces two counts of first-degree murder, felony menacing, and committing a crime of violence. He is currently being held on $5 million cash bail in a jail in El Paso County, Colorado. A status conference has been scheduled for March 15, with his next court date set for March 27.
The University of Colorado-Colorado Springs community mourns the loss of Samuel Knopp and Celie Rain Montgomery. This tragic incident serves as a reminder of how conflicts between roommates can escalate and result in devastating consequences. The investigation continues as authorities seek justice for the victims and their families.
