Student Ends Case Against UCCS After Dormmate Murder Negligence Claim
Plaintiff rested case after four-day presentation on UCCS staff's response to dorm murder.
Why it matters: This lawsuit challenges the extent of universities' legal duty and liability in campus violence, a critical issue for institutions and legal advisors amid growing scrutiny of campus safety.
- Feb 16, 2024: Gunshots at UCCS dorm killed two students, Samuel Knopp and Celie Rain Montgomery.
- Nicholas Jordan, the accused and former roommate, threatened Knopp a month before shooting; no prior action was taken.
- Jordan was convicted in April 2025 and sentenced to life without parole for two first-degree murder counts.
- August 2026: A former dormmate sued UCCS for negligence over its inadequate response to Jordan's threatening behavior.
On February 16, 2024, the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) Police Department responded to reports of gunshots at Crestone House, a campus dormitory. Officers found two students, 24-year-old Samuel Knopp and 26-year-old Celie Rain Montgomery, fatally shot. The suspect, 25-year-old student Nicholas Jordan, was arrested three days later and charged with two counts of first-degree murder and felony menacing (Colorado Springs.gov).
Earlier, in January 2024, Jordan had threatened Knopp during a dispute over household chores, a threat reported to campus police and housing officials. Despite this, the university took no action to separate the roommates before the fatal shooting (AP News).
In April 2025, Jordan was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole. The incident drew attention to campus safety and administrative responsibility (CBS News).
In August 2026, a communications student who shared the dorm with Jordan and Knopp filed a negligence lawsuit against UCCS, asserting the university failed to act adequately on prior complaints, potentially preventing the murders. The plaintiff recently rested his case after a detailed four-day examination of university staff's response (Courthouse News).
The case is seen as a potential precedent for defining universities' legal duty of care and liability in handling campus violence, a significant legal question for higher education institutions nationwide.
By the numbers:
- February 16, 2024 — date of shooting at UCCS dorm
- April 16, 2025 — conviction and sentencing of Nicholas Jordan
- August 2026 — negligence lawsuit filed against UCCS
Yes, but: Details of UCCS's internal response to the January threat remain undisclosed, leaving questions about the adequacy of their actions prior to the murders.
What's next: The negligence lawsuit outcome is pending, with further proceedings expected to clarify institutional liability in campus violence cases.