YWAM Report: Gunman Obsessed With Satan, Porn
Murray Wanted To Spend Night, Pastor Says
POSTED: 12:28 pm MDT March 26, 2008
UPDATED: 11:02 am MDT March 28, 2008
ARVADA, Colo. -- An investigative report on the shooting at the Youth with a Mission Training Center paints a dark picture of the gunman responsible, showing how he was obsessed with both Satanic and religious texts and filled his computer with pornography, including child porn.Matthew Murray opened fire on Dec. 9 at the YWAM center, killing two missionaries. A few hours later, Murray went on a shooting spree at the New Life Church in Colorado Springs, killing two more people. He eventually took his own life.The report on YWAM, released Thursday morning, includes a several hundred pages of investigative analysis, a case summary, hundreds of images and audio files of 911 calls and tapes.
The 350 pages shed light on Murray's troubled state of mind, but don't explain why he went on a rampage.He made several cell phone calls that night. His cousin thought he was suicidal and his father booked a flight home to see him. Interviews with his friends and family show a pattern of resentment, feelings of rejection and a desire for revenge, according to the report.A family friend told 7NEWS Reporter Lane Lyon the report has Murray's parents reliving the event "shoulder to shoulder" with the victim's families."It's still very fresh, they miss their son," said Casey Nikoloric."They are trying to absorb and process what's happened and that's something they'll be doing the rest of their lives," Nikoloric said.According to the report, 45 people were inside when Murray opened fire at YWAM. He was able to fire off 15 rounds from a 9mm handgun before the shooting abruptly ended when an exterior door closed.Murray was locked outside and was banging on the door when other students arrived from an outing, apparently scaring him off.Dale Lambert of the center said they're not sure how the door closed."To us, it was praise God the door closed. More people didn't die," he said.Murray showed up at the YWAM building asking if he could spend the night. When he was turned away, he shot four people, killing Tiffany Johnson, 26, and Philip Crouse, 24 and injuring two others."Is he still in there?" a 911 dispatcher asks on a telephone call. "I don't know but he's shooting people ... Yes, there's people shot," the 911 caller replied.The report explained how Murray returned to his parent's home after the yWAM shooting. Loretta Murray was glad to see his car outside, according to Nikoloric. A cousin had contacted her earlier in the evening and expressed deep concern that Matthew seemed depressed.The next morning, on Sunday, Murray rose early and said "Happy Birthday" to a 17-year-old house guest. Nikoloric said Murray appeared to be in good spirits."He seemed fine," she said.Police report finding 500,000 pornographic pictures on Murray's computer, including child and homosexual images.In addition, police discovered downloaded material relating to the Columbine and Virginia Tech shootings. Murray also posted the statement, "You Christians brought this on yourself."Police determined the statement was created the night before the YWAM shooting and was posted as Murray left his home for Colorado Springs.The report also revealed it was not the first time Murray showed up asking to spend the night at YWAM. He'd done the same thing in 2006 and was allowed to stay, even after he said he had issues with the group. That time nothing happened.
YWAM Director Still Has Questions
Peter Warren, director of Denver's YWAM, spoke to the congregation of Faith Bible Chapel Wednesday night about the shootings, saying he didn't understand why it happened, but he trusts God."Whenever bad things happen, you question your faith, but if you allow that process rather than becoming bitter, it actually strengthens your faith in the end," said Warren. "The bottom line is I don't know why. Honestly, I don't know why. But I know that God is good."He said every time the YWAM shootings come back in the news, church members at staffers at YWAM relive the night."The police believe he was planning a massacre and that's why he was wanting to stay the night," Warren told YWAM staffers and students.Five years earlier, Murray had gone through YWAM training but felt rejected when he wasn't allowed to go into the field."The hardest part is living without Tiff because she was such a normal part of our lives," said YWAM staffer Jessica Warren.YWAM staffers said dealing with the loss is a daily struggle but they don't face it alone."When you have to do something he gives you the strength to do it," said Mark Davies.Nikoloric said Murray's parents hope the report will also serve as a national call to action, "and encourage dialogue about how we reach out to those among us who are lonely, isolated and different."Additional Resource:
Previous Stories:
- March 12, 2008: Gunman Wrote 'Letter to God' Before Death
- 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
Copyright 2008 by TheDenverChannel.com. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.






