UCCS Double Homicide Victim’s Mother Takes Legal Action Against University: A Fight for Justice

The mother of Celie Rain Montgomery, a woman tragically killed at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS), has filed a lawsuit against the university. She claims school officials ignored threats to student safety leading up to the shooting.

In February 2024, Nicholas Jordan shot and killed Montgomery, 26, and Samuel Knopp, 24, in a campus dorm room. Jordan and Knopp were roommates, and Montgomery was visiting. Jordan was convicted and received two life sentences without parole.

In her lawsuit, Melody Montgomery states that the university knew about Jordan’s troubling behavior well before the incident and failed to act. She argues that UCCS should have recognized his mental distress and history of drug abuse. The lawsuit outlines various complaints made by Jordan and Knopp to school authorities, noting that they had ongoing disputes.

Between December and February, both students reported numerous issues. One alarming episode involved Jordan allegedly threatening to kill Knopp over a trivial argument about chores. The UCCS police responded to these incidents multiple times but took no serious action.

The lawsuit details how the UCCS Campus Assessment Response and Evaluation Team (CARE Team) was aware of Jordan’s conduct but did nothing. This included reports of sexual harassment from Jordan toward several women, which resulted in one student quitting a class out of fear.

Experts in campus safety stress the importance of responding to troubling behavior quickly. “Ignoring warning signs can create an unsafe environment,” says Dr. Lisa Schwartz, a professor of psychology specializing in campus safety. National surveys show that timely intervention can significantly reduce the risk of violence on college campuses.

UCCS officials testified that they offered Knopp and his other roommate the option to move to a different room after he expressed concerns. Initially, they declined but later requested a move again. They were set to change rooms just days before the shooting.

After the incident, an independent review highlighted necessary policy improvements at UCCS. It noted that a prior threat from Jordan should have raised alarms for the university authorities. Chancellor Jennifer Sobanet stated in a report that while organizational policies needed review, no individual had been found responsible for the tragic outcome.

Currently, Melody Montgomery is raising her late daughter’s two children, ages 9 and 7, while seeking compensation in her lawsuit. She wants the community to demand answers about what occurred, reflecting a growing desire for transparency in campus security issues.

Note: UCCS has declined further comment due to pending litigation, but the community continues to engage in discussions about safety and accountability on campus.



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