University of Colorado senior, 24, shot dead in campus dorm room along with woman, 26, most likely ‘targeted’

Sam Knopp, and Rain Montgomery, have been identified as victims of a shooting in a dorm at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs Campus on Friday

The pair whose relationship has not been revealed, were found dead with gunshots to the head, in what police believe to be a double-homicide

Knopp, was a talented senior studying music while Montgomery, a mother-of-two and freelance copywriter, was not a student

Authorities say deaths ‘not random,’ believe the killer maybe someone known to the pair

So far, no suspects have been apprehended nor named in the active investigation.

University of Colorado senior Sam Knopp, [photo], 24, was names as one of the victims of a shooting in a dorm at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs on Friday, along with a 26-year-old female said to be a non-student. Their deaths is being investigated as homicide

The victims of student housing shooting deaths at the University of Colorado’s Colorado Springs Campus on Friday have been identified as 24-year-old senior Sam Knopp and 26-year-old Celie Rain Montgomery, a resident of Pueblo, about 45 miles from the campus.
Knopp and Montgomery were found in a dorm room at the Alpine Village student housing complex with gunshot wounds to the head when police responded the shooting around 6am on Friday.
‘At this point in our investigation, this incident does not appear to be a murder-suicide and both deaths are being investigated as homicides,’ Colorado Springs Police said. Authorities believe the killer maybe someone known to the pair.
The coroner’s office will determine how they died, but each person was shot at least once in what appeared to be an ‘isolated incident,’ police spokesperson Ira Cronin said at a briefing.  

Freelance copy writer Celie Rain Montgomery, [photo], 26, was found shot dead alongside Samuel Knopp, inside the latter’s dorm room at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs campus on Friday. She was not a student at UCCS. Both victims were shot in the head

Knopp was a senior studying music at the university and said to be a beloved member of the Visual and Performing Arts department. He was an accomplished guitar player and an extremely talented musician. 
Montgomery, a single mother-of-two young children, worked as a freelance copywriter specializing in health and wellness. The nature of their relationship has not been revealed. 
A lockdown across campus lasted for about 90 minutes and later was isolated to Crestone House, a student apartment complex on campus, school spokesperson Chris Valentine said.
When police officers got to the room, they found Knopp and Montgomery both dead, having been shot in the head.

Suspected double-homicide happened on Friday in Knopp’s dorm room in Crestone House, [photo], at the Alpine Valley student housing complex on the UCCS campus

Knopp, [photo] is remembered was a talented senior studying music at the university of Colorado

Following the lockdown, the campus about 70 miles south of Denver remained closed for the day.
The Colorado Springs Police Department received a request for assistance, and the department’s homicide unit responded and took over the investigation.
An autopsy was conducted on the two bodies by the El Paso County Coroner’s Office, which identified the two victims.
Knopp’s mother, Amy, shared her concerns online just as the shooting was taking place. She wrote online: ‘There were reports of an active shooter on campus at UCCS where our son, Sam, is a senior. At least one person is dead. 
‘I haven’t heard from Sam. He lives in Alpine Village, where residents were told to shelter in place. The campus is in lockdown and is now closed today. 
‘PLEASE EXCUSE MY LANGUAGE BUT IT’S THE GODDAMNED GUNS! This hits way too close to home and it makes me want to vomit. All the ‘thoughts and prayers’ in the world mean nothing without action to back them up.’

College senior Sam Knopp, 24, seen [photo], with his twin sister Ellie, was the male victim in Friday’s fatal shootings at UCCS camps on Friday

Sam Knopp’s mother Amy Knopp, [left], says ‘thoughts and prayers mean NOTHING’ as she condemned the gun violence that took her son’s life

So far, no suspects have been apprehended nor named in the active investigation.
‘Given this case’s active and fluid nature, additional information about those leads and any potential suspect details will not be released at this time,’ a press release from the police department read.
The police did note that the shooting was an isolated incident between people who knew one another and was not simply a  random attack against the school or other students at the university.
The campus was also closed over the weekend but walk-in counseling was offered at the wellness center on both days, the university said. 
The university has said that classes will be cancelled on Monday but walk-in counseling will also be offered together with spaces on campus being open to offering food and support.