Univ. of Wyoming Law Students Were Warned About Colorado Shooter
The man who authorities say shot seven people, killing a Colorado sheriff's deputy early Sunday, was the subject of a warning issued to University of Wyoming law students in early November.
Matthew Riehl, 37, was identified as the gunman Sunday evening by the Douglas County, Colorado Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Tony Spurlock described it as an "ambush-type of attack."
Deputy Zackari Parrish, 29, was identified as the officer who was shot and killed. He is survived by his wife and two children.
The wounded officers -- Mike Doyle, 28; Taylor Davis, 30; Jeffrey Pelle, 32; and Tom O'Donnell, 31; were said to be in stable condition. The two civilians were said to have wounds which were not considered life-threatening.
Riehl, who reportedly used a rifle and fired over 100 rounds on Sunday, was later shot and killed by officers working as part of a tactical team.
On Nov. 6, University of Wyoming College of Law students received an email from Assistant Dean Lindsay Hoyt with the subject line "Suspicious Person."
"The UW Law School has received information about suspicious behavior involving a former student," the email reads. "There have been no direct threats to faculty, staff, or students, but as a precaution, students are being notified of this situation."
Mathis asked students to "immediately notify" the UW Police Department if Riehl was seen near the law school.
Students were also told to be on the lookout for Riehl's red Ford "Foxbody" Mustang with Colorado plates near the college.
Photos of Riehl and his vehicle were attached to the email.
Several hours earlier, the college had notified students that the Laramie Police Department was working with police dogs at the College of Law. The email did not indicate whether that activity had any connection to Riehl.
For the week following those emails to students, police officers were reportedly stationed at several entrances to the UW law school each day.
Riehl graduated from the University of Wyoming College of law in 2010. UW told CBS News that the university had been investigating social media posts mentioning the law school.
Riehl, who served in the Wyoming National Guard and was deployed to Iraq in 2009, had also worked as an attorney in Rawlins.
The Denver Post reports Riehl in November started posting YouTube videos in which he voiced his anger toward Lone Tree Police Department officers.