Downtown Colorado Springs Stabbing suspect claimed he was ‘Jesus Christ’
Colorado Springs Police say the suspect in the early Monday morning stabbing spree near downtown would ask his victims if they were Christians before initiating the attacks.
Rene Miller, 38, will be in court at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to be advised of the charges against him after eight people were stabbed.
According to his arrest affidavit, he's charged with six counts of first-degree attempted murder, two counts of second-degree assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of felony menacing, or threatening.
Police say they got a call about a stabbing at the 7-Eleven at the intersection of S 8th Street and W Cimarron Street around 1:30 a.m. The caller said someone stabbed three to four people and then ran off.
On her way to the scene, one officer says she checked Chestnut Street toward the Midland Trail. There, she spoke to a couple who said a man had just walked up to them, asked if they were Christian, and pulled out a knife. The couple said the man demanded them to answer "yes" or "no," but eventually walked off down the trail.
Soon after, around 2:15 a.m., police were alerted about another stabbing near the intersection of E Boulder Street and N Tejon Street. Police say a group of people were holding the suspect down when they got there.
Police say Miller matched the description given by previous victims, and was covered in blood with a small knife next to him.
During the investigation, officials determined Miller took Midland Trail under I-25 along W Cimarron Street through America the Beautiful Park and into downtown Colorado Springs.
A couple walking on Midland trail says Miller also asked them if they were Christians, and if they believed in Jesus Christ. The man answered "yes," and says Miller licked his finger and wiped a cross on his forehead. The man said his fiancé answered "no," and Miller responded, "I have to kill her."
Investigators say Miller stabbed both, the man and the woman, on the walking path, cutting the man's ear and the woman's cheek.
A man in America the Beautiful Park told police Miller stabbed him in the back four times, according to the affidavit. Another man said he was walking past the New Life Commons on E Boulder Street when Miller stabbed him seven times.
The victim in front of New Life told detectives Miller said, "I am Jesus Christ," and asked if he had accepted him as his Lord and savior. The man says he told Miller he was undecided, and then was stabbed. The man said his friend told Miller he did accept him, and Miller said thank you.
Investigators say the final attacks happened outside Tony's bar on N Tejon Street, when Miller stabbed at least three more people.
They say the victims held Miller down until police got there.
Miller is scheduled for his first court appearance Thursday, January 23.
