Colorado Church Shootings may be linked

By Rick Moran

Authorities in Colorado are looking into the probability that the two shooting incidents at two different churches 65 miles and 12 hours apart are related:

"Given the circumstances, I think it is a good possibility that the two are linked," Arvada Deputy Police Chief Gary Creagor told The Associated Press early Monday. "But we have to prove that they are."

At a news conference Sunday, Police Chief Don Wick said that there was "reason to believe" the shootings were connected, though he declined to elaborate. Early Monday, authorities were searching a home in suburban Englewood, about 15 miles south of Denver, that they said could be related to the Colorado Springs shooting case. Authorities could be seen coming and going from the home, and at one point searching the bushes in front.

The New Life Church in Colorado Springs was formerly headed up by disgraced pastor Ted Haggard who was forced to resign in a sex scandal last year.

The gunman was described as around 20 years old and dressed in "tactical helmet and body armor." He was stopped in mid-rampage by an armed female security guard who shot and killed the gunman shortly after he began firing.

Security was heightened at the mega-church following the early morning shooting at the missionary center.