Colorado dorm suspected double murderer is the ROOMMATE of one of the victims, cops say

The 25-year-old suspect arrested last week in the slayings of a single mother and a college student in a Colorado dorm was a college student and the roommate of one of the victims, police confirmed.

Nicholas Jordan, 25, of Detroit, is accused of shooting Celie Rain Montgomery, 26, and his roommate Sam Knopp, 24, Friday at Crestone House on the campus of the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs.

Colorado Springs police said he was detained at Cliff Point Circle East in the city at 8:37 a.m. Monday.

“Investigative efforts continue to indicate that this was an isolated incident between individuals who knew each other and not a random attack against the school or other students at the university,” the department said.

Montgomery was a single mother of two daughters, ages five and seven, according to A Facebook post by a heartbroken family member reacting to her death, while Knopp was a gifted music student. It is unclear what the relationship between the two victims was.

Celie Rain Montgomery (pictured), 26, was identified along with Sam Knopp, 24, after what police say was a double murder last week

Knopp, 24, was named Friday as one of the victims of a shooting at a dorm at the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs

Jordan is being held in the El Paso County Jail and charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

He was arrested after members of the Colorado Springs Motor Vehicle Theft Unit located him in a vehicle Monday morning, police said.

The coroner’s office will determine how the victims died, but each person was shot at least once in what appeared to be an “isolated incident,” police spokesman Ira Cronin said at a briefing.

Knopp studied music in college and was reportedly a beloved member of the Visual and Performing Arts department. He was an accomplished guitarist and an extremely talented musician.

Montgomery worked as a freelance copywriter, specializing in health and wellness. She was not a university student.

A lockdown on campus lasted about 90 minutes and was later isolated at Crestone House, a student apartment complex on campus, school spokesman Chris Valentine said.

Knopp is pictured with his mother, Amy, in a photo posted online

A police officer stands outside a Village at Alpine Valley residence hall on Friday as police investigate a shooting on the campus of the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs

Knopp was a talented senior who studied music in college

Shocked students look out the window of their dorm at the Village at Alpine Valley residences

When police officers entered the room around 6 a.m. Friday, they found Knopp and Montgomery both dead, having been shot in the head.

After the closure, the campus, about 70 miles south of Denver, remained closed for a day.

Knopp’s mother, Amy, shared her concerns online just as the shooting occurred.

“There were reports of an active shooter on the campus of UCCS, where our son, Sam, is a senior. At least one person is dead,” she wrote.

‘I haven’t heard from Sam. He lives in Alpine Village, where residents were told to take shelter. The campus has been placed on lockdown and is now closed today.

“Please excuse my language, but it’s the damn guns! This hits way too close to home and it makes me want to throw up. All the ‘thoughts and prayers’ in the world mean nothing without action to back them up.”

When it became clear that her son was one of the victims, expressions of condolence followed.

“I’m so sorry for your loss and praying so hard for you and your family,” Brittany Craig wrote.

“Amy, my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. My heart is broken, my condolences,” said Diane Sigl.

“I’m so sorry Amy, I’m angry and heartbroken that we lost Sam,” Elsa Ge added.

Knopp is seen next to his twin sister Ellie

Knopp, left, and his sister Ellie stand together in a family photo

“Given the active and fluid nature of this case, no additional information regarding these leads and any suspect details will be released at this time,” a police news release said.

“While we recognize the difficulty of the situation and the withholding of information in the early stages of the investigation, we owe it to the victims and their families to ensure accountability and justice for this heinous act,” police said.

“These are the third and fourth homicides in the city of Colorado Springs this year. This time last year there were two murders.”

The campus was also closed this weekend, but drop-in counseling was offered in the wellness center on both days, the university said.