8 shot in multiple Colorado shooting incidents
Less than a week after Nebraska mall rampage, two consecutive shootings against Christian targets in Colorado leave two dead, at least six wounded
At least four people were shot at a large Colorado evangelical church on Sunday - the second shooting in a day linked to a religious community in the state.
Local media said four, or possibly more, people were shot outside or inside the New Life Church in Colorado Springs on Sunday afternoon. The condition of those shot was not immediately known, but police said they had a suspect in custody.
In an earlier incident, two people were killed and two were injured shortly after midnight when a gunman entered a training center for young missionaries in the Denver suburb of Arvada, about 70 miles away from Colorado Springs, police said.
It was not immediately known if the two shootings were connected. CNN reported that the description of the shooter was similar in both cases - a white male wearing a dark hat and dark jacket.
The New Life Church, which has about 14,000 members, was founded by pastor Ted Haggard, who resigned in disgrace in 2006 after admitting to sexually immoral conduct.
Colorado Springs Police Lt. Fletcher Howard said police had a suspect in custody, but that the motive for the shooting was not yet known. He said he could not confirm any fatalities from the shootings.
Rob Brendle, associate pastor at the New Life Church said: "It's been a dramatic day and we are participating with the police investigation right now but we are not at liberty to make a comment right now ... a statement will be issued at 3:30 pm mountain time (10:30 pm GMT)."
Youths killed at missionary dormitory
In Arvada, two youth missionary staff members were shot and killed by a young man who came to the door of the Youth With a Mission dormitory asking for a place to stay, the group said in a statement.
When he was told he could not be accommodated there, he pulled out a handgun and opened fire. Two other staffers, who were cleaning up after a Christmas party, were wounded before the gunman ran away.
Missionary center in Colorado on Sunday (Photo: AP)
The Mission is an international and interdenominational organization that trains young people to work as missionaries.
"Please pray for the families who are on their way to Denver for the critically injured young man undergoing surgery today for the staff and students who have been evacuated to another location for the apprehension of the gunman who fled the scene," Mission spokesman Paul Filidis said in a statement.
