Colorado cops find explosives at JW center after two die in apparent murder-suicide on Christmas
THORNTON, COLORADO: After a married couple reportedly died in an apparent murder-suicide at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Thornton on Christmas morning, investigators found and disarmed three incendiary devices, authorities said. The representative of the Jehovah's Witnesses worship center described the incident on Sunday as an "unprovoked attack," but authorities failed to provide any information regarding the devices' type, location of discovery, or relationship to the deadly shooting.
According to Thornton police, the deceased couple were married and previously attended Kingdom Hall. At 10:30 on Sunday, December 25 morning, Thornton police tweeted about the incident for the first time, stating that they were looking into a homicide at Kingdom Hall but that "there is no active threat," as reported by Daily Mail.
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Thornton PD is investigating a homicide at Kingdom Hall, 951 Milky Way. Heavy police presence at the scene. There is no active threat. Updates here… pic.twitter.com/hg0M3YHwjP
— Thornton Police Dept (@ThorntonPolice) December 25, 2022
According to a news release, the Thornton Police Department received the first complaint of a structure fire at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses, 951 Milky Way, around 9 am on December 25, 2022. According to the police, there was a report that an adult man shot and murdered an adult woman at the center before killing himself.
The incident did not result in any additional injuries, according to another news release Thornton police issued on Sunday night. “There are no further concerns for the safety of the Thornton community,” police spokesman Joe Walker said.
Update to original news release… pic.twitter.com/MorlkVx5W0
— Thornton Police Dept (@ThorntonPolice) December 26, 2022
The assailant entered the structure with a molotov cocktail, a particular kind of explosive. Thereafter, reports of more explosions appeared. The Adams County Sheriff's Office's Hazardous Materials Unit was among the numerous police, fire, and ambulance personnel stationed close to Kingdom Hall on December 25 morning. Other than mentioning the hazardous materials team's presence at the Kingdom Hall, the authorities haven't spoken anything about those specifics. Information regarding the alleged murderer has not been made public by the police. People were asked to stay away from the area, as reported by The Guardian.
Every Sunday, three services are held at the Kingdom Hall in Thornton, according to attendees. According to representatives of Jehovah's Witnesses, a service had been planned for that area for 9:30 on Sunday, December 25. Since Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Christmas, the services were ordinary gatherings.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and loss of life at our Kingdom Hall in Thornton,” the Sherrelwood Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses said in a statement, adding, “We are cooperating with the authorities as they carry out their investigation into the event." “Our hearts go out to the family and friends of those who have been traumatized by the heinous actions that took the life of an innocent victim and threatened the lives of many others,” the statement continued. “We are praying for the families of all those affected,” it further said.
On December 25 morning, Luis Sanchez, who lives across the street, heard two gunshots. He claimed that when he went outside, a woman was sprawled out on the ground. “It’s very sad,” he said, adding, “It’s Christmas.”
Thornton Mayor Jan Kulmann, in a statement, said she was “saddened by the violent actions that took two lives in our city. This kind of violence is always shocking but particularly on Christmas Day.”