29 Sep, 2006
Police identify gunman in Colorado school shooting
BAILEY, Colo. - The gunman who took six girls hostage in a high school classroom, killing a 16-year-old, had sexually assaulted at least some of them, the sheriff said Thursday.
"He did traumatize and assault our children," Park County Sheriff Fred Wegener said. "I'll only say that it's sexual in nature."
Wegener identified the suspect as Duane R. Morrison, 53, of the Denver area. He said investigators had not established any previous connection between him and the hostages at Platte Canyon High School.
Wegener said that Morrison was from the Denver area but had been living in his car. State records showed he was arrested in July in the west Denver suburb of Lakewood on a charge of obstructing police in another suburb. He was also arrested for larceny and marijuana possession in 1973.
Authorities said Morrison had let four of the hostages go before a police team stormed the classroom where he had been cornered Wednesday.
The gunman fatally wounded one of the girls and killed himself as the deputies charged in with explosives. The other girl escaped.
The victim was identified as 16-year-old Emily Keyes, shown in a yearbook photo as a smiling blonde who played volleyball and was on the high school debate team.
She was pronounced dead at a Denver hospital after Wednesday’s standoff, which reminded many people of the 1999 massacre at Columbine High, less than an hour’s drive away.
story & photo courtesy msnbc.msn.com, 9/28/06
Unspeakable evil!
How does today's God's Story help us understand the evil in our world?
Please know that I am not claiming to have all the answers - only God does - and we won't completely understand them until eternity in Heaven begins.
But today's scripture provides us some insight into the unspeakable evil that occurred in Bailey, Colorado this week. Our hearts and prayers go out to the family and friends of Emily Keyes.
Obviously, Satan had a role in the evil done by the perverted killer.
Jesus described Satan as an evil murderer who hates all Truth and is the father of lies. We may never know the whole story of the 53-year-old shooter in that high school, but at some point in his life he bought into the lies of Satan. He may have believed the lie that he had been a victim of evil and his action was justified. He may have believed the lie that life doesn't matter. He may have believed the lie that God didn't love him or could not help him. He may have believed the lie that there is no hell or consequences for sin. Now he understands the Devil's lies. Now he knows he is responsible for his sinful choices....forever...
Today's scripture also helps us see that sin has a role in the evil that happened in the Colorado high school. Each of us is responsible for our own sin, but sometimes it is the sinful actions of others that result in pain and suffering for innocent people. That's the point that Jesus is making in Luke 13:1-3. Innocent worshippers were murdered by the sinful action of Pilate.
Emily Keyes and the other girls were innocently going about their day at school. But the evil, sinful action of Duane Morrison has changed many lives forever.
None of this seems fair, but we live in a sinful, evil world where Satan is at work.
Take heart. This won't last forever. Jesus said so.
How can you connect today's God's Story to your life?
- Talk to God right now. Ask Jesus to use His Truth to help you understand His perspective on why evil things happen in our world. Thank Him for being in control. Thank Him that He welcomes you, His child, to ask questions and listen...
- Pray every day this week for God's Spirit to give you insight into His answers for your questions.
- In your journal, write down your thoughts and questions as you reflect on today's DAILYBIDE.
- Pray for the family and friends of Emily Keyes and the other victims in this horrible event in Bailey, Colorado.
How can you connect today's story, God's Story and your story to others?
- Pray for someone you know who seems to be suffering or going through a painful time, due to Satan's influence or the sinful actions of others. Ask this person how you can help.
- Sit down with other friends in your youth group, at school, at work, or with your family and get their perspective on 'why such evil things happen in this world'? Be ready to quietly trust Jesus to lead you as you share part of your story and/or God's Story.
- With some friends, send cards or emails to the students and families in Bailey, Colorado.
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