Active shooter throws Molotov cocktail into Jehovah’s witness center in Colorado
A man shot and killed his wife before turning the gun on himself on Sunday morning at a Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall in Thornton, Colorado. According to a press release by Thornton Police, the married couple were found dead inside the hall and were confirmed to have been former members of the parish.
While their identifies remain unknown at this time, law enforcement officials further revealed that they found three “suspicious devices” at the scene that may be linked to the incident which occurred at around 9 AM, though they wouldn’t elaborate on what type of devices these were until the investigation is complete.
In a statement made by the Sherrelwood Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses, they were “deeply saddened” and “shocked” by the shooting and added that they are cooperating with authorities to the best of their abilities in an effort to uncover what could’ve resulted in today’s tragic murder-suicide. “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,” they wrote.
Sunday night, Thornton police said that three “incendiary devices” had been found at the scene. “They were rendered safe and collected with the help of the Adams County Hazardous Material Unit,” the Thornton Police Department said. They did not elaborate on what type of incendiary devices were found or where exactly they were located.
According to police, there are “no further concerns for the safety of the Thornton community.” Thornton, Colo., police said a husband fatally shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself around 9 a.m. at the Kingdom Hall in the city about 11 miles from Denver.
The man and woman, who were not identified, were married and former members of the Kingdom Hall congregation, police said, adding the Adams County Sheriff’s Office Hazardous Materials Unit was also investigating “suspicious devices” found at the scene.
Police originally tweeted there was a large law enforcement presence at the Kingdom Hall, but there was no active threat to the community. The Sherrelwood Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses said in a statement they were “shocked and deeply saddened” by the shooting.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened by the unprovoked attack and loss of life at our Kingdom Hall in Thornton. We are cooperating with the authorities as they carry out their investigation into the event,” the congregation told ABC 7 Denver.
“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. We are praying for the families of all those affected.”
