Noah Jacob Harpham, 33, has been identified as the Colorado Springs man who allegedly shot and killed three people over the weekend.
Andrew Myers, Jennifer Vasquez and Christy Gallela were gunned down on the street on Saturday, reported
KKTV. The Associated Press said the gunman died in a shootout with police after the three victims were killed.
KCNC-TV reported that Harpham posted a blog about his father before the shooting but made no mention of a possible shooting. The blog was in connection with his father attending a mega-church in California.
"The Colorado Springs community suffered a terrible tragedy on Saturday morning with the shooting deaths of three innocent victims," said Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, according to KKTV.
"The perpetrator was shot by police and there is no continuing threat to the community. However, on behalf of all the citizens of Colorado Springs, I want to convey our heartfelt sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of this crime."
The
Colorado Springs Gazette said Harpham's mother, Heather Kopp, wrote a book titled "Sober mercies: How love caught up with a Christian Drunk," in which she documented her son's struggle with substance abuse.
She wrote that he turned a corner in 2007 when he quit drinking and sought help through Alcoholics Anonymous, saying, "It's quite possible there's a miracle afoot."
Harpham started a blog last Thursday with a short video in which he said he sent his father, Thomas Harpham, a critique of a sermon by California pastor Bill Johnson, of Bethel Church. It appeared that the younger Harpham was upset that his father, who was a follower of Johnson's preaching, had not responded.
"Stunned, horrified, angry and deeply, deeply grieved for the victims, their loved ones and the city of Colorado Springs," the church said in a statement about the shooting, according to KKTV. "As well, we love Thomas, a grieving and dismayed parent who is devastated by the behavior of his adult child."
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