Security Guard: God guided me /// UPDATE
http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news/14817480/detail.html#
Security Guard: 'God Guided Me And Protected Me'
Jeanne Assam Stopped Gunman At New Life Church
POSTED: 4:46 pm MST December 10, 2007
UPDATED: 5:51 pm MST December 10, 2007
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Jeanne Assam appeared before the news media for the first time Monday and said she "did not think for a minute to run away" when a gunman entered the New Life Church in Colorado Springs and started shooting.
Security guard Jeanne Assam
There was applause as Assam went before reporters and TV cameras saying "God guided me and protected me."
New Life's Senior Pastor Brady Boyd called Assam "a real hero" because Murray "had enough ammunition on him to cause a lot of damage."
Click to learn more...
When asked by a reporter if she felt like a hero, Assam said, "I was given the assignment to end this before it go too much worse."
"I give credit to God," she said.
Assam described how the gunman, Matthew Murray, entered the east entrance of the church firing his gun.
"There was chaos," Assam said, as parishioners ran away.
"I saw him coming through the doors" and took cover, Assam said. "I came out of cover and identified myself and engaged him and took him down."
"God was with me," Assam said. "I didn't think for a minute to run away."
Assam has several years of experience in law enforcement and is licensed to carry a weapon. She attends one of the morning services and then volunteers as a guard during another service.
The victims killed in the Colorado Springs shooting were identified Monday as sisters Stephanie Works, 18, and Rachael Works, 16. Their father, David Works, 51, suffered two gunshot wounds -- one to the abdomen and one to the groin -- and was listed in fair condition on Monday. They were shot in the parking lot as they were getting into their van.
"Our concern is for our family that lost two teenage daughters. Our hearts are grieving," said Brady Boyd. "You can imagine, as parents, losing two children while coming to church, just showing up for a worship service, not bothering anyone."
Boyd said Assam was the one who suggested the church beef up its security Sunday following the Arvada shooting, which it did. The pastor credited the security plan and the extra security for preventing further bloodshed.
Boyd said there are 15 to 20 security people at the church. All are volunteers but the only ones armed are those who are licensed to carry weapons.
About 7,000 people were on the church campus at the time of the shooting, said Boyd.
New Life, with about 10,000 members, was founded by the Rev. Ted Haggard, who was dismissed last year after a former male prostitute alleged he had a three-year cash-for-sex relationship with him. Haggard, then the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, admitted committing undisclosed "sexual immorality."
Security Guard: 'God Guided Me And Protected Me'
Jeanne Assam Stopped Gunman At New Life Church
POSTED: 4:46 pm MST December 10, 2007
UPDATED: 5:51 pm MST December 10, 2007
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- Jeanne Assam appeared before the news media for the first time Monday and said she "did not think for a minute to run away" when a gunman entered the New Life Church in Colorado Springs and started shooting.
Security guard Jeanne Assam
There was applause as Assam went before reporters and TV cameras saying "God guided me and protected me."
New Life's Senior Pastor Brady Boyd called Assam "a real hero" because Murray "had enough ammunition on him to cause a lot of damage."
Click to learn more...
When asked by a reporter if she felt like a hero, Assam said, "I was given the assignment to end this before it go too much worse."
"I give credit to God," she said.
Assam described how the gunman, Matthew Murray, entered the east entrance of the church firing his gun.
"There was chaos," Assam said, as parishioners ran away.
"I saw him coming through the doors" and took cover, Assam said. "I came out of cover and identified myself and engaged him and took him down."
"God was with me," Assam said. "I didn't think for a minute to run away."
Assam has several years of experience in law enforcement and is licensed to carry a weapon. She attends one of the morning services and then volunteers as a guard during another service.
The victims killed in the Colorado Springs shooting were identified Monday as sisters Stephanie Works, 18, and Rachael Works, 16. Their father, David Works, 51, suffered two gunshot wounds -- one to the abdomen and one to the groin -- and was listed in fair condition on Monday. They were shot in the parking lot as they were getting into their van.
"Our concern is for our family that lost two teenage daughters. Our hearts are grieving," said Brady Boyd. "You can imagine, as parents, losing two children while coming to church, just showing up for a worship service, not bothering anyone."
Boyd said Assam was the one who suggested the church beef up its security Sunday following the Arvada shooting, which it did. The pastor credited the security plan and the extra security for preventing further bloodshed.
Boyd said there are 15 to 20 security people at the church. All are volunteers but the only ones armed are those who are licensed to carry weapons.
About 7,000 people were on the church campus at the time of the shooting, said Boyd.
New Life, with about 10,000 members, was founded by the Rev. Ted Haggard, who was dismissed last year after a former male prostitute alleged he had a three-year cash-for-sex relationship with him. Haggard, then the president of the National Association of Evangelicals, admitted committing undisclosed "sexual immorality."
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quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I am still wondering why a Church had security guards prior to this lunatic coming in. I am not saying she did wrong...
That is the dumbest question I have seen all week.
There have been at least three other churches that have been attacked by gunmen in the past 3 years.
What more reason do you need?
Well hell yeah! Or does someone think we should tell her not to ever do it again?0 -
quote:Originally posted by l3to
was it god or the "several years of law enforcement experience" that proected her. [:I]
Either way good for her.
You think they are separate?
I think they are all one process. She apparently has love in her heart for her fellow man as evidenced by her dedication and discipline.
Rusty0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I am still wondering why a Church had security guards prior to this lunatic coming in. I am not saying she did wrong...
That is the dumbest question I have seen all week.
There have been at least three other churches that have been attacked by gunmen in the past 3 years.
What more reason do you need?
Well I should rephrase it... UNARMED Security Guards..
Wouldn't unarmed security guards be an oxymoron or just morons?0 -
"Larry Bourbonnais, a combat-tested Vietnam veteran, said the action taken by Assam was the bravest thing he's ever seen.
Bourbonnais, who was among those shot by the gunman, watched as Assam calmly returned fire.
"She just started walking toward the gunman firing the whole way," said Bourbonnais, who was shot in the arm. "She was just yelling, 'Surrender,' walking and shooting the whole time."
I so admire the courage of this woman. What a feat of arms to take on a rifleman in this fashion.0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
"She just started walking toward the gunman firing the whole way," said Bourbonnais, who was shot in the arm. "She was just yelling, 'Surrender,' walking and shooting the whole time."
Way to go!0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
"Larry Bourbonnais, a combat-tested Vietnam veteran, said the action taken by Assam was the bravest thing he's ever seen.
Bourbonnais, who was among those shot by the gunman, watched as Assam calmly returned fire.
"She just started walking toward the gunman firing the whole way," said Bourbonnais, who was shot in the arm. "She was just yelling, 'Surrender,' walking and shooting the whole time."
I so admire the courage of this woman. What a feat of arms to take on a rifleman in this fashion.
+1
She is a rare lady and should have nothing but commendable comments made.
Her one mistake was taking out an armed madman in a Church and then mentioned God helped her do this.
That mistake makes here an "easy target" for the lesser level of humans who want to pick Chritianity apart at any oppourtunity, But I know that a lady of Jeanne Assams stature could care less about the peanut gallery.0 -
quote:Originally posted by allen griggs
"Larry Bourbonnais, a combat-tested Vietnam veteran, said the action taken by Assam was the bravest thing he's ever seen.
Bourbonnais, who was among those shot by the gunman, watched as Assam calmly returned fire.
"She just started walking toward the gunman firing the whole way," said Bourbonnais, who was shot in the arm. "She was just yelling, 'Surrender,' walking and shooting the whole time."
I so admire the courage of this woman. What a feat of arms to take on a rifleman in this fashion.
She is also single and looking for a man.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Captplaid
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I'm surprised Church's haven't started concealed carry courses. Pay here.. The 10 Commandments:
1. Always carry your gun
2. Always have enough ammo
3. Bring your gun to Church
4. Don't shoot your Brother or Sister ( Church Talk )
5. Protect your Brother and Sister
6. Try not to shoot up Church property
7. Do not drink and shoot
8. Do not pull or play with your gun during Church
9. Do not shoot your gun during Church
10. Never under any circumstance give up your gun
I know wonder if denominations have a preference.
I suspect Jewish Tabernacles prefer the UZI.
John Moses Browning was a devote Mormon, plenty of kosher choices there.
Catholics are strickly HK/ Benelli/ Beretta/ Sig people but really pretty Universal to all weapons..[8D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
quote:Originally posted by Captplaid
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I'm surprised Church's haven't started concealed carry courses. Pay here.. The 10 Commandments:
1. Always carry your gun
2. Always have enough ammo
3. Bring your gun to Church
4. Don't shoot your Brother or Sister ( Church Talk )
5. Protect your Brother and Sister
6. Try not to shoot up Church property
7. Do not drink and shoot
8. Do not pull or play with your gun during Church
9. Do not shoot your gun during Church
10. Never under any circumstance give up your gun
I know wonder if denominations have a preference.
I suspect Jewish Tabernacles prefer the UZI.
John Moses Browning was a devote Mormon, plenty of kosher choices there.
Catholics are strickly HK/ Benelli/ Beretta/ Sig people but really pretty Universal to all weapons..[8D]
What about the German Lutherans and the Scandinavian Lutherans?0 -
They are more into Walthers. 0 -
quote:
Catholics are strickly HK/ Benelli/ Beretta/ Sig people but really pretty Universal to all weapons..[8D]
I would add Taurus. My Catholic friends all see to have at least on firearm from that manufacture. [8D]0 -
quote:Originally posted by meunke
quote:
Catholics are strickly HK/ Benelli/ Beretta/ Sig people but really pretty Universal to all weapons..[8D]
I would add Taurus. My Catholic friends all see to have at least on firearm from that manufacture. [8D]
The key word in my response was universal. The Catholic Church is the universal church of the world.0 -
If there is ever a Church war the Russian Orthodox will be a dangerous foe. 0 -
quote:Originally posted by MVP
If there is ever a Church war the Russian Orthodox will be a dangerous foe.
AK's0 -
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I am still wondering why a Church had security guards prior to this lunatic coming in. I am not saying she did wrong...
there were over 7,000 people there that day. that is bigger than some towns. no town of 7,000 people would not have law enforcement or security. i went to a college of 3,800 people and they had a force of 25 security officers.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Civil Rights
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
I am still wondering why a Church had security guards prior to this lunatic coming in. I am not saying she did wrong...
there were over 7,000 people there that day. that is bigger than some towns. no town of 7,000 people would not have law enforcement or security. i went to a college of 3,800 people and they had a force of 25 security officers.
I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the church having a security force, but there are tons of towns of 7000+ people without a local PD.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Captplaid
quote:Originally posted by MVP
If there is ever a Church war the Russian Orthodox will be a dangerous foe.
AK's
AK's mabye, but Moisin/Nagants predate the Bolshevik/Communist Revolution...and the Orthodox Church in Russia didn't have a big following among Lenin's crew...
Still an awsome rifle over 100 years later0 -
quote:Originally posted by meunke
quote:
Catholics are strickly HK/ Benelli/ Beretta/ Sig people but really pretty Universal to all weapons..[8D]
I would add Taurus. My Catholic friends all see to have at least on firearm from that manufacture. [8D]
The Catholic IRA preferred AR-15's in the 70's & 80's...not to mention bombs of all shapes sorts and sizes.
Just ask Lord Mountbatten0 -
She did a fine job. 0 -
Tr Fox-
You sure make for some interesting discussions. I like that.
If you want the same breaks that God gets, it's pretty simple.
You just send you only child, who remained sinless for his whole life, to go and die on the cross for the rest of us.
You'd probably be surprised at the amount of respect you could get after that.
Merry Christmas!0 -
quote:Originally posted by GUNFUNCO
Tr Fox-
You sure make for some interesting discussions. I like that.
If you want the same breaks that God gets, it's pretty simple.
You just send you only child, who remained sinless for his whole life, to go and die on the cross for the rest of us.
You'd probably be surprised at the amount of respect you could get after that.
Merry Christmas!
It is just plain human nature (including me) to want and need an explanation to most everything that is important to them. In the beginning mankind could not explain why or where they came from or why or where they were going. If they had concocted some earthly explanation, that explanation would not have lasted long. Seeing as how it was an "earthly" explanation, it could have been picked apart by doubters.
So the best and only alternative was to concoct an "invisible man living far away in the sky" as the answer. Of course, that had the effect of explaning the unexplainable with the unexplainable.But for everyone for who that explanation gives comfort (we all desperately need such comfort) I say hold firmly onto it. But in the meantime don't be surprised, and please be as nice to me as I am to you about it, if I continue to disbelieve fairy tales.
And please don't believe that I believe nothing.0
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