Youth With A Mission Staff Killed in Denver

"It is with great sadness that we report the shooting death of two staff members at our YWAM Denver (Arvada) training location. The shooting occurred just after midnight, Sunday early morning; two additional staff members were injured, one is in critical condition. Please pray -- for the families who are on their way to Denver -- for the critically injured young man undergoing surgery today -- for the staff and students who have been evacuated to another location -- for the apprehension of the gunman who fled the scene." By Paul Filidis from Youth With A Mission website.

Arvada Police Department has the following information.

Police are investigating a shooting at the Youth with a Mission (www.YWAM.org) at 12750 West 63 Ave, Arvada occurring just after 12:30 am on December 9, 2007. It is believed a lone gunman entered the door and opened fired. Four adults were injured and transferred to area hospitals for treatment.

One male and one female in their mid twenties have since died. The two deceased are Tiffany Johnson, DOB 06/19/1981; and Philip Crouse, DOB 01/31/1983. Information provided by Youth with a Mission is that Ms. Johnson was from Minnesota and Mr. Crouse was from Alaska.

The other victims are male ages 22 and 23. One is in critical condition and one is in stable condition.

The gunman fled the scene on foot. K9 tracks were conducted along with searches by patrol officers; however, it was unsuccessful.

Suspect is described as a white male possibly 20 years of age. He was wearing a dark colored jacket and dark colored beanie AKA skull cap. He may have had a beard and may have worn glasses. Anyone with information on this crime is asked to call Arvada Police at 720-898-6900.

Youth with a Mission is a world wide organization where young American and international students learn to become missionaries. While it is on Faith Bible Campus, it is not directly connected with the church. Witnesses of the shootings were initially brought to the Arvada Police Department but have now been relocated to a safe location.

Reverse 911’s for the areas of Ward Road to Eldridge and 64th to 58 Ave in Arvada were sent out at 2:30 am and 8:30 am by Arvada Police Communications to ask neighbors to keep doors locks and to remain vigilant reporting any suspicious activity to police immediately by dialing 911.