Slain Springs sisters were active in Arvada missionary group
Rocky Mountain News
Originally published 08:54 a.m., December 10, 2007
Updated 05:00 p.m., December 10, 2007
Photo by Works family photo
Rachael Works, 16, back left, and Stephanie Works, 18, front right, died in the shootings at New Life Church. They are pictured with their parents, David and Marie, and sisters. David Works was wounded in the attack.
Photo by Darin McGregor
The first rays of the morning sun illuminate the steeple of New Life Church and Pike's Peak a day after a gunman entered the church and shot five people, killing two in Colorado Springs.
Two teenage sisters today were identified as the church members killed in Sunday's shootings outside New Life Church in Colorado Springs.
Police today identified the dead as Stephanie Works, 18, and Rachael Works, 16.
They were described by their uncle, Mark Schaepe of Lincoln, Neb., as outgoing cheerful, faithful and smart.
“It teaches you that life is precious,” he told The Gazette of Colorado Springs.
The Works sisters are survived by their parents, David Works, 51, who was shot in the abdomen and groin area in the attack and remained hospitalized in fair condition, and Marie Works; along with two sisters.
Schaepe said family members suspect that the shooter could have targeted the girls because they were heavily involved with Youth With A Mission and had frequented the Arvada training center for the missionary group where two people were shot to death hours before the New Life attack.
The girls had gone on a mission trip to China with Youth With A Mission last year, Schaepe said.
Two other church members injured in Sunday's shooting were treated and released.
Judy Purcell, 40, suffered a gunshot wound in her right shoulder and Larry Bourbannais, 59, was shot in his left forearm, police said.
The gunman, Matthew J. Murray, 24, of Arapahoe County, died at the scene after being shot by a church security officer.
At a news conference this morning at the church, Senior Pastor Brady Boyd said the sisters and their family had been church members for about 18 months.
“You can imagine, as parents, losing two children coming to church, showing up for a worship service, not bothering anyone,” Boyd said. “This is a very godly family, a family that serves our church. One of the young girls just returned from overseas on a mission trip. They’re very committed.”
Boyd also said the gunman had no connection to the church.
"It was just absolutely random," Boyd said. "There was no sense to it."
Boyd said Jeanne Assam, the plainclothes church security officer who shot and killed Murray, has a law-enforcement background and is a member of New Life. Boyd said Murray made it less than 50 feet into the building.
"She did her job yesterday," Boyd said of Assam. "She's a real hero."
The pastor said he believes the size and prominence of the church -- plus publicity about it -- made it a target.
After the shooting at the Youth With A Mission center in Arvada earlier Sunday, Boyd said the church called in more than the usual number of security volunteers and "because of the extra precautions we saved many lives yesterday."
Boyd called the successful evacuation of the church "supernatural and unbelieveable."
"We had a large number of people who knew what to do ... we're so grateful to God for giving us the wisdom to do that," Boyd said.
Boyd said the church was closed today but will reopen on Tuesday.
He said church members will meet "as a church family" later this week to begin healing.
He also reached out to relatives of the gunman.
"Our hearts go out" to family of the shooter, Boyd said.
The Gazette of Colorado Springs contributed to this report.
Post your comment
Registration is required. Click here to create your free user account, or login below.
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.
December 10, 2007
9:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
SteleX1 writes:
What a waste of life... and from the same family. May God be with them. You are in my prayers.
December 10, 2007
9:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
kmjcolorado writes:
Eternal rest grant unto them Oh Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them, may they rest in peace.
December 10, 2007
2:37 p.m.
Suggest removal
DanessT writes:
I knew the two girls that were killed and I am very sorry to hear of their death. They, along with the rest of the family were very kind to me and my family and I feel that it was unfair for their lives to be ripped away from them. They will be missed and I give their family my condolences.
December 10, 2007
2:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
PMSXpress writes:
Sincere condolences to the family for such a tragic loss. Very sorry.
December 10, 2007
4:28 p.m.
Suggest removal
galut writes:
My prayers for both the Families of the victims and the family of the shooter...may God guide them all thru this time ...
December 10, 2007
10:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
DandLWarren writes:
Lord God We ask that You send a special blessing to the families of those involved in the shootings. May Your peace and joy touch their hearts. Give them encouragement and strength to go forth in this fight of faith. We know that all things work together for the good of them that love You and are called according to Your purpose. Continue to watch over them and this nation. Help us to not forget You in our daily lives. In Jesus Name AMEN!