Pastor tells of horrific day

The New Life Church attacker refused a guard's order to drop his weapon and fired before he was shot to death.

By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Originally published 02:22 p.m., December 10, 2007
Updated 06:23 p.m., December 10, 2007

COLORADO SPRINGS — The gunman who killed two at a Colorado Springs church Sunday refused a guard's order to drop his weapon and fired before the guard shot him to death and ended the attack.

The guard, a member of the New Life Church who provides security as a volunteer, was called a hero by church officials today.

"She's the hero," Senior Pastor Brady Boyd said. "She saved 100 lives yesterday."

Michael Ware, pastor of Victory Church in Westminster and a New Life overseer, said the security guard is a small woman, "110 pounds dripping wet."

Relating the account he had been told, Ware said the woman ordered Matthew Murray to drop his weapon and they exchanged shots. The attacker shot at the guard, missed, and kept walking into the church, Ware said. The woman fired again, taking down the gunman.

Boyd is meeting today with members of the family who lost two teenage girls in the shooting.

Stephanie and Rachael Works, 18 and 16, died in the attack. Their father, David Works, 51, is in fair condition at Penrose hospital in Colorado Springs with gunshot wounds in his groin area and abdomen.

Boyd said this morning that he believes the New Life Church's high profile may have attracted the gunman there. Boyd doesn't believe the attacker knew anyone at the church or singled out the church because of personal animosity.

"We know (his name) but no one on the staff ever heard of him," Boyd said Monday, as paused in the foyer where shattered glass and bullet holes still spoke to the shootout between the woman parishioner — who worked as a volunteer security guard — and the gunman.

In an exclusive interview after the press conference Boyd told the Rocky Mountain News that he was calm in the wake of the shootings.

"Right now I'm in survival mode. I don't have time to think of the scope of this. but I have a sense of calm that God is in control," he said.

Boyd also seemed to indicate, but didn't elaborate, that violence follows churches that preach the gospel.

"Any New Testament church is under attack and duress. It's unique to us as westerners to think that when we come under attack there's something wrong with the church," which isn't true, he said.

Ware said the Works family used to be members of his church. He said they were loving, exuberant family who would rush up to him to give him hugs at church.

"A precious, precious family," Ware said. "If you wanted an example of a model family you would look to them."

Ware was among many somber-face church leaders converging on New Life for the second time in a year.

One year ago, the church was engulfed in its first national crisis, when pastor Ted Haggard resigned from the pulpit after admitting to a sex scandal.

Overseer Larry Stockstill, who flew in from Louisiana, said he was at the hospital praying with the Works family when the second Works girl died.

Stockstill said because of Haggard's high profile the church had put in a security plan long ago. Ware said that his church, too — as well as many churches — have plainclothes worshipers who are armed and ready to step in.

"They worship and watch," Ware said.

Boyd, who was hired to succeed Haggard, is getting high marks from overseers for the way he's handling his second major crisis in a year.

"He stepped up to that microphone like a president," Ware said, referring to Boyd's first news conference today on the shooting.

In the interview today, Boyd said he was having lunch with another overseer, Jack Hayford, when they heard the shots. He did not see the shooting.

"We didn't know if he (Hayford) was the target or I was," Boyd said.

Boyd's immediate thought was whether his wife and children had left the church after the service — they had. Next, he thought, "Who's being hurt in my church?"

As prescribed by the security plan, the two men stayed in the office, a floor above the shooting.

• December 10, 2007

  4:46 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  galut writes:

  It is sad that security measures must be put in place in a church facility...but it is necessary...

  I am sure the securiy guard must be having mixed feelings ... I hope those around Her keep her in prayer ... she will need it as she has to deal with the intense press coverage.

• December 10, 2007

  4:54 p.m.

  junglegymco writes:

  (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

• December 10, 2007

  6:02 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  axegrinder writes:

  Watch this enlightening clip; how much do you really care
  about our precious and unique civilization and/or planet?
  http://youtube.com/watch?v=XyTmClBU7nA

• December 10, 2007

  6:10 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  axegrinder writes:

  My previous comment belonged in response to "Creeping Tancredoism"
  Sorry about that,
  A.G.

• December 10, 2007

  6:28 p.m.

  GeneralDissaray writes:

  (This comment was removed by the site staff.)

• December 11, 2007

  12:35 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  ctattorney writes:

  Nice examples of hate speech against Christians, like that allegedly sent by the suspect. Removal suggested.
  -- from a highly educated and well-travel Spirit-filled knowing the Bible as Truth Christian