Man and woman found dead in El Paso County home

A man and a woman were found dead at an El Paso County home Tuesday evening when deputies arrived after reports of a shooting, officials said.

A 29-year-old man and a 27-year-old woman were found dead at the home at 9108 Chieftan Drive, said Sgt. Mike Schaller, spokesman for the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office.

Three children age 10 and under were in the home but were not harmed, he said. The children were placed in the custody of the Department of Human Services, and reportedly released to their grandmother, neighbors said.

Schaller would not say if the man and woman had been shot or where their bodies were found.
Although he would not characterize the incident as a murder-suicide, he said deputies were not seeking any suspects.

According to police radio traffic and neighbors on the scene, the 911 call about the shooting was placed about 6 p.m. by a 10-year-old girl inside the house.

Neighbors said a young couple lived in the home with their three children, who often played with other children in the area. They said the family had lived in the home about five years.

Megan Grant said firefighters told neighbors the three children were hiding in the basement when firefighters arrived at the house Tuesday.  Grant said she came out of her home when she heard agonizing yelling — she was told it was the grandmother of the children.

The grandmother repeatedly screamed “No, no,” as she was told what had happened.

Neighbor Chris Brown said he didn’t hear any shots but came out when he saw the emergency vehicles.

“The scream was the first thing I heard, the only thing I heard,” he said.

Grant said deputies had been at the house before, but there was no indication of ongoing domestic problems. She said she occasionally saw the man rough-housing with the family dog.

The home is on a quiet corner at the end of Chieftan Drive, near Marksheffel and Bradley roads in the

Colorado Centre neighborhood southeast of the Colorado Springs Airport.
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Contact Ryan Maye Handy: 636-0261
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