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December 10, 2007

Security Guard Describes Shooting

"It was me, the gunman, and God," security guard says.

Sarah Pulliam

When Matthew Murray came to New Life Church in Colorado Springs with a rifle, two handguns, and 1,000 rounds of ammunition, it was church member Jeanne Assam, who stopped his attack.

Assam, 42, volunteers as a security guard at the congregation, and shot and killed Murray after he fired several times in the church parking lot, killing two.

"It was me, the gunman and God," she said at a press conference.

"I give credit to God. I say that very humbly," the former Twin Cities patrol officer is quoted in the Denver Post. "God was with me, the whole time I was behind cover. Based on the firepower he had, compared to mine. I just prayed for the Holy Spirit to guide me my hands weren't even shaking."

New Life Senior Pastor Brady Boyd credited Assam with stopping the shooting that killed two teenage sisters. She is one of about 12 armed security officers at New Life Church, according to Boyd.

"He never got more than 50 feet inside our building," Boyd said at the press conference. "There could have been a great loss of life yesterday, and she probably saved over 100 lives."

posted by Sarah Pulliam Bailey | Comments (2)

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A true-to-life Christian hero! She was not there by chance or by accident, she was put there to stop evil in it's tracks. Reminds me of David and Goliath's confrontation; having the same outcome and then, of course, she gives God all the credit for saving more innocent people from slaughter. She should be honored by everyone, starting at the Whitehouse and Capitol Hill, even though she is not going to want a lot of praise for herself.
A tragic event that God will turn to use for good -in His own way and in His own time.

Posted By: George H. Gardner | December 11, 2007 1:03 PM

What a brave warrior! And all to the glory of God!
She is quite a testimony! It is so encouraging to hear people give God the glory and to see miracles in action.

Posted By: Louise Garner | December 11, 2007 1:32 PM