Gunman Wrote 'Letter to God' Before Death
Call 7 Investigators Obtain Letter Written By Michael Murray
POSTED: 1:24 pm MDT March 12, 2008
DENVER -- Sometime before his deadly rampage at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, gunman Michael Murray penned a letter addressed to God in which he poured out his frustration and confusion over his faith and ranted about the hypocrisy of Christians.Colorado Springs police discovered the letter in Murray's 1992 Toyota Camry, which was found parked outside the New Life Church on the day of the shootings. CALL7 Investigators obtained a copy of the letter on Wednesday, hours after Colorado Springs police released its official 450-plus page report on the shootings.
The expletive-laced letter addressed "To God" begins, "What have I done so wrong? What is wrong with me anyways? Am I really such a bad person?"The one and half page letter is primarily Murray asking questions of God."I didn't even ask to be born. Jesus, where are you? Do you even care these days ?... Why didn't you ever answer my cries for help? Why do I have to be hurt by so many Christians?" he asked.In several sentences, Murray spews insults at God, using an epithet for female anatomy, and asks, "Why couldn't you write your damn book more clearly?"The more I read your stupid book, the more I pray, the more I reach out to Christians for help the more hurt and abused I get," he wrote."I've heard good things about what Jesus can do, yet everywhere I go in Christianity, all the Christians I see or meet are miserable, angry, selfish, hypocritical, proud, power hungry, abusive, uncaring, confused, lustful, greedy, unsure of their doctrine and mean-spirited ... Am I too lost to be saved? My soul cries for deliverance. I'm dieing (sp), praying, bleeding and screaming. Will I be denied???"On Dec. 9, 2007, Murray shot and killed two people at the Youth With A Mission Center in Arvada then hours later went to Colorado Springs and opened fire at the New Life Church, killing two more people. Murray was shot several times by a security guard before he aimed a gun at his head and killed himself.It's obvious he worried about the ever-after but didn't write anything about his intentions to kill himself."Honestly, I do sometimes worry about hell. How do I avoid hell? It seems everyone in Christianity these days are confused. ... What is the truth? Where can I find it? Where can I find the real 'Christians?' ... Are you too pissed off at me to even care about me or to hear my cries for help? Am I too wicked to have Salvation? Are you planning to hurt me more?"He pointed out the hypocrisy in Christians and tried to set himself in a positive light in God's eyes."I'm a much nicer person with integity (sp) and I am more sincere and caring for people ... The younger people who 'have' Jesus are oftentimes controlled by lust. I'm not," he wrote. "I want to be free from this lifelong pain. Why didn't any changes occur or any love or help come when I accepted you as Lord and Savior?"Please watch 7NEWS at 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. for more information.
| Read First Page Of Letter Read Page 2 Read Official Report On New Life Shooting |
Previous Stories:
- March 12, 2008: Witnesses: Church Gunman Emotionless, Methodical
- February 28, 2008: Colo. Church Shooter Had ADHD, Felt Rejected, Parents Say
- January 31, 2008: Bush Meets Church Hero During Fundraising Stop In State
- January 11, 2008: New Life Pastor Describes Gunman's Parents' Meeting With Victims' Parents
- January 8, 2008: Church Gunman's Family Tours New Life, Meet Guard
- January 5, 2008: 911: 'There's Someone Shooting At Us'
- December 21, 2007: Family Recalls Colorado Church Shootings
- December 19, 2007: Girls' Dad Attends Memorial Service In Wheelchair
- December 19, 2007: Picture Of Ted Haggard Found In Church Gunman's Home
- December 17, 2007: Church Shooting Victim Kicked Out Of Service
- December 14, 2007: Friends Ink Their Bond, Legacy With Church Victims
- December 14, 2007: Police Say Gunman Didn't Send Hate Mail To YWAM
- December 13, 2007: Thousands Gather At Scene Of Colorado Springs Shooting
- January 5, 2008: 911: 'There's Someone Shooting At Us'
- December 21, 2007: Family Recalls Colorado Church Shootings
- December 19, 2007: Girls' Dad Attends Memorial Service In Wheelchair
- December 19, 2007: Picture Of Ted Haggard Found In Church Gunman's Home
- December 17, 2007: Church Shooting Victim Kicked Out Of Service
- December 14, 2007: Friends Ink Their Bond, Legacy With Church Victims
- December 14, 2007: Police Say Gunman Didn't Send Hate Mail To YWAM
- December 13, 2007: Thousands Gather At Scene Of Colorado Springs Shooting
- December 13, 2007: Experts: Internet Gives Shooters A Venue For Legacies
- December 12, 2007: Gunman's Parents Meets With Victims' Family
- December 12, 2007: Ammo Shipped To P.O. Box Put Murray On Police Radar
- December 12, 2007: Memorial Service Held For Slain Missionaries
- December 12, 2007: Matthew Murray's Parents: 'We Are Lost In Grief'
- December 12, 2007: FBI Alerted To Web Postings Shortly Before Church Attack
- December 11, 2007: Coroner: Gunman Killed Himself
- December 11, 2007: Church Gunman Left Online Rant Between Shootings
- December 11, 2007: Gunman's Family Church To Hold Prayer Service
- December 11, 2007: New Life Cancels Performances Of Christmas Show
- December 10, 2007: Security Guard: 'God Guided Me And Protected Me'
- December 10, 2007: Police: Same Gunman Attacked Both Churches
- December 10, 2007: YWAM: Gunman Was Student At Arvada Center
- December 10, 2007: Victims Of Colorado's Church Shootings
- December 10, 2007: Timeline Of Church Shootings In Arvada, Colorado Springs
- December 10, 2007: Report: No General Alert Sent After Arvada Shootings
- December 9, 2007: Gunman Opens Fire At Missionary Center; 2 Killed, 2 Hurt
- December 9, 2007: 6 Shot At New Life Church; Gunman, 2 Churchgoers Dead
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