Suspected Gunman In Colorado Springs Posted Rants In Blog
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Two victims in a weekend shooting spree in Colorado Springs have been identified by family members, and the suspected gunman's name is now being reported.
The shooting in the city's downtown area that left three apparently random victims dead and the gunman also dead has deeply affected residents, including the mayor.
"It's a terrible tragedy," said Mayor John Suthers said in a statement.
CBS4 has learned that Noah Jacob Harpham, 32, is the suspected gunman.
Harpham posted a blog not long before the shootings took place Saturday morning. The statements on the blog appear to be ramblings about his father's connection to a church in California. They make no mention that he might be about to go on a killing spree.
Harpham's blog is titled "Is my Dad in a Cult, and even worse is it Satanic?"
The shooting spree took place in the 200 block of North Prospect. A person on a bicycle, identified as 35-year-old Andrew Alan Myers, was shot to death then two women were shot and killed before the suspect was confronted by police and died.
Autopsies are now being done on the victims.
One victim has been identified by family members as Christina Rose Baccus-Gallela. Another was also identified by family members as Jennifer Vasquez.
A vigil was held for those who died on Sunday night. There, Omar Martinez said Vasquez, his aunt, was one of the victims.
"She would always be there. She would always be there to talk to me, to hug me, to tell me that she loved me," said Martinez, with tears in his eyes.
Martinez's father thanked the community for its support at the vigil.
"We can't understand why and when it's going to stop," he said.
FUNDRAISERS FOR VICTIM FAMILIES: Christy Galella | Jennifer Vasquez
CBS4 contacted the church that Harpham refers to in his blog. It did not seem to be aware of the shootings and any possible connection. They promised to get back to CBS4.
