Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook

Uproar After NC State Agent 'Fixes' Girl's Lunch Preschooler has to eat chicken nuggets instead of mom's meal »

Colo. Church Gunman 'Hated Christians'

Was expelled from missionary school where he killed 2

By Neal Colgrass, Newser Staff

Posted Dec 10, 2007 8:15 PM CST

(Newser) – The gunman at two Colorado church shootings yesterday had been expelled from the missionary school where killed two people, the AP reports. He also sent the school hate mail in recent weeks and may have "hated Christians," police said. The school admitted that it had kicked out the gunman, Michael Murray, a few years ago due to "issues with his health."

Both of Murray's victims at a megachurch 80 miles away were also members of the school, which police called "the common denominator" of the shootings, the Rocky Mountain News reports. They are still probing his dismissal, but one source said problems with Murray must have been significant because the school goes to "the nth degree with people."

Jeanne Assam, the security guard who gunned down a gunman as he terrorized worshippers after the Sunday service at New Life Church, talks about the shooting at the church in Colorado Springs, Colo., during... (Associated Press)

Jeff Jensen, an investigator with the homicide unit of the Colorado Springs, Colo., Police Department, uses an aerial photograph of the campus at New Life Church to talk about the Sunday shooting at the... (Associated Press)

As many as twenty bullet holes riddle the entryway of the New Life church in Colorado Springs, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, where a day earlier a gunman entered the building. Two are dead in addition to the... (Associated Press)

Church overseer Larry Stockstill leaves the bullet-riddled entryway of the New Life church in Colorado Springs, Monday, Dec. 10, 2007, where a day earlier a gunman entered the building. Two are dead in... (Associated Press)

Mel Waters, an associate pastors at New Life Church, talks about the Sunday shooting at the church in Colorado Springs, Colo., during a news conference on Monday, Dec. 10, 2007. Two women died from the... (Associated Press)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

To report an error on this story, notify our editors.

More Newser Stories

Kentucky Church Bars Interracial Couples

They can attend services, but can't be members

(NEWSER) - Yes, it is the 21st century … but apparently not in Pike County, Kentucky, where a small Baptist church has barred interracial couples from becoming members or participating in certain church activities. It all started back in June, when Stella Harville, who is white, brought fiancé Ticha Chikuni, who is black, to Gulnare Freewill Baptist Church, where they performed a song. Harville's father is a longtime church member and she was baptized there, but is not a member. After her appearance with Chikuni, the you-know-what hit the fan. More»

Paralyzed Man to Wheel Up 14,000-Foot Pikes Peak

Glen House will propel up the Colorado mountain this weekend

(NEWSER) - A 13-mile hike up a 14,100-foot mountain would be challenging for anyone, let alone someone with a physical disability. Tomorrow, a 42-year-old paralyzed Colorado man will do it in a wheelchair. Glen House will be one of about 450 hikers participating in the Pikes Peak Challenge for charity, and the only participant rolling himself up in a wheelchair, the Huffington Post reports. More»

Egypt Church Blast Kills 21

Bomb hits New Year's church service

(NEWSER) - Egyptian authorities believe a suicide bomber was behind a blast that killed at least 21 people and injured dozens more at a church in Alexandria. The blast hit as Coptic Christians left a New Year's church service, Bloomberg reports. Angry Christians clashed with police and local Muslims after the explosion. A crowd attacked a nearby mosque, which had also been damaged in the blast. More»

Christmas Bombings Spark Unrest in Nigeria

Some fear escalating violence ahead of elections

(NEWSER) - State police are swarming into central Nigeria following a series of Christmas church bombings that killed 38, the Christian Science Monitor reports. Following Saturday's explosions, angry youths barricaded roads and attacked people passing by yesterday, and houses and a truck also were set ablaze. UN chief Ban Ki-moon blasted the bombings in Jos, which are thought to be the work of Islamist militants, and backed government attempts to arrest those behind them. Locals say police, who claim things are under control, haven’t kept them safe. More»

Megachurch Targets 'Grinch Stores' That Ignore Christmas

Baptist pastor won't tolerate 'minority voices'

(NEWSER) - A Dallas megachurch is getting downright Black Peter and landing like a ton of coal on stores that aren't celebrating Christmas. "Politically correct" establishments shying away from the Christian holiday get no peace and goodwill from the First Baptist Church . Instead, Pastor Robert Jeffress has launched a " Grinch Alert " website that alerts his followers to businesses that "don't show outward signs of supporting Christmas." One bank bowed to the pressure and ended up erecting a Christmas tree in its lobby. Jeffress said his church won't tolerate "voices of a minority who object to the holiday." As the Dallas Observer notes: "He's talking to you, Lone Star Judaica. " More»

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS

What is Newser?

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser, we choose the most thought-provoking and entertaining stories from hundreds of US and international sources and reduce them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »

Partnering with: Slate

View Newser on the mobile website

Colo. Church Gunman 'Hated Christians'

Was expelled from missionary school where he killed 2

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Related Stories

church • Christians • Colorado • Colorado Springs • megachurches • Ted Haggard • gunman • church shootings

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Kentucky Church Bars Interracial Couples

They can attend services, but can't be members

Paralyzed Man to Wheel Up 14,000-Foot Pikes Peak

Glen House will propel up the Colorado mountain this weekend

Egypt Church Blast Kills 21

Bomb hits New Year's church service

Christmas Bombings Spark Unrest in Nigeria

Some fear escalating violence ahead of elections

Megachurch Targets 'Grinch Stores' That Ignore Christmas

Baptist pastor won't tolerate 'minority voices'

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?

Colo. Church Gunman 'Hated Christians'

Was expelled from missionary school where he killed 2

Bookmark & Share

OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

Related Stories

church • Christians • Colorado • Colorado Springs • megachurches • Ted Haggard • gunman • church shootings

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

Kentucky Church Bars Interracial Couples

They can attend services, but can't be members

Paralyzed Man to Wheel Up 14,000-Foot Pikes Peak

Glen House will propel up the Colorado mountain this weekend

Egypt Church Blast Kills 21

Bomb hits New Year's church service

Christmas Bombings Spark Unrest in Nigeria

Some fear escalating violence ahead of elections

Megachurch Targets 'Grinch Stores' That Ignore Christmas

Baptist pastor won't tolerate 'minority voices'

About Us

Site

Newser By Users

Community

Site Maps

Tools

More News

What is Newser?