Update: CSPD arrested 25-year-old Jonathan Lee Sovine in connection with the shooting. Sovine is a former UCCS student; however, he was not enrolled at the time of the shooting. He is being charged with attempted murder, attempted assault in the first degree, menacing and disorderly conduct. His first court appearance is scheduled for Jan. 20 at 1:30 p.m.
Multiple gunshots were fired outside of the Alpine Village apartments at approximately 10:23 p.m. on Jan. 12. UCCS police and Colorado Springs police responded shortly before 10:30 p.m. after receiving several calls reporting gunshots.
According to the Colorado Springs Police Department (CSPD), a male suspect confronted a student outside of Antero Hall before producing a handgun and firing at least one round before fleeing on foot. The student was not injured.
Sovine was arrested the following morning around 11 a.m. and campus closed for further investigation, which will be a joint-effort between UCCS police and CSPD.
According to KOAA News, the student was moving into their dorm along Clyde Way when the suspect confronted them over the student’s parking.
A shelter in place alert was sent via text and email at 11:21 p.m. and campus was placed on lockdown until 1:39 a.m. while UCCS and CSPD officers investigated the scene.
A drone from the Real-Time Crime Center, a CSPD unit that specializes in providing real-time information, was used to canvass Alpine Spine and the surrounding area to search for the suspect; however, officers were unable to locate him.
University Police Operations issued a timely warning about the incident via email at 10:14 a.m., which said “The CSPD and the UCCS Police Department are investigating a report of an attempted murder.”
Officers declined to comment due to the ongoing nature of the investigation.
Campus Resources
UCCS has experienced tragedies of this nature in the past, and this incident could be particularly upsetting to those impacted by past events. If you or someone you know require mental health or wellness support, please contact campus resources. All campus members are encouraged to reach out.
The Wellness Center is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Students can call 719-255-4444 to make an appointment, although walk-in appointments are available. The Wellness Center can also help connect campus members with other community resources.
Free mental health services are available 24/7 in multiple languages via the TELUS Health app.
The Veterans Health and Trauma Clinic (VHTC) has immediate openings available, free of charge. Faculty and staff members can call 719-255-8003 to schedule an appointment.
Additional student resources can be found here, and additional faculty and staff resources can be found here.
If you have any information that may be helpful to this investigation, please contact the University Police Department via phone at 719-255-3111, or in person at the Department of Public Safety located inside Gateway Hall.
You may also contact CSPD by calling 719-444-7000.
Syanna Santiago-Smith contributed information to this report
Photo by Joseph Impellitteri