COLORADO SPRINGS, CO — Nicholas Jordan, the man convicted of shooting and killing two individuals inside a University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) dorm room in February 2024, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
On Wednesday afternoon, a jury found Jordan, 23, guilty of two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Samuel Knopp, 21, and Celie Montgomery, 22. The victims were discovered shot multiple times inside Knopp’s dorm room, located in a quad-style building on the UCCS campus. Jordan, who was Knopp’s roommate, is believed to have carried out the murders during a violent confrontation.
Montgomery, the girlfriend of Knopp, was also found at the scene. The couple’s tragic deaths shocked the UCCS community and left friends, family, and faculty members grappling with the loss of two young lives.
In a heart-wrenching statement before sentencing, Montgomery’s father spoke to the court, reflecting on the pain his family had endured over the past year. He shared the profound sorrow they felt following the deaths of his daughter and Knopp. Despite the tragedy, he expressed that he never felt hatred toward Jordan, instead grappling with a deep sense of loss and a desire to understand why such an act had occurred.
During the trial, both the defense and the prosecution acknowledged that Jordan was the individual who fired the fatal shots. However, the defense argued that Jordan had acted in self-defense, claiming that he was confronted by Knopp wielding a baseball bat. The defense contended that Jordan had entered the dormitory to use the bathroom and was caught off guard by the confrontation.
The prosecution, however, presented a starkly different narrative. They argued that Jordan had premeditated the murders, highlighting key evidence, including surveillance footage showing him entering the building shortly before the shooting and leaving the scene afterward. Further evidence included gunshot residue found on Jordan’s hands and the purchase of the firearm weeks before the incident. The prosecution contended that the shooting was cold-blooded, not a reaction to any threat.
The jury deliberated for several days before reaching a verdict, ultimately finding Jordan guilty of first-degree murder in the deaths of both Knopp and Montgomery. On Wednesday, the judge sentenced Jordan to life in prison without the possibility of parole, a sentence that reflects the severity of his crime.
For the victims’ families, the sentencing marks a step toward justice, but it cannot undo the immense pain caused by the tragic loss of their loved ones. The case has left a lasting impact on the UCCS community, and the memory of Samuel Knopp and Celie Montgomery will continue to resonate long after the proceedings have concluded.
Jordan’s actions on that fateful day have left a scar on the university, and the ripple effects of this tragedy will be felt by those who knew the victims for years to come.
