Now-former Monument Academy teacher says stabbing was self-defense, but police don’t buy it

EL PASO COUNTY, Colo. (KRDO) - School leadership at Monument Academy confirmed a man accused of stabbing and killing one person, and critically injuring multiple others, was a teacher.

On Oct. 31, Colorado Springs police were called out to a home on North El Paso Street.

Police say a woman had first called about a domestic dispute at the address just before midnight. Just eight minutes later, dispatchers say Mathew Regnier called 911, breathing hard and saying he had been attacked.

Upon arrival, officers said they found three people, one man and two women, who had been stabbed. Police say further inside the residence, officers found Regnier with an injury to his hand. They also located a child, who was physically unharmed, according to arrest records.

Police say the three victims had suffered critical injuries; the man later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital, while the two women are still being treated for their injuries.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Arrest made in connection with stabbing that killed 1, and critically injuried 2 others

33-year-old Matthew Regnier was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault, and one count of child abuse.

Neighbors tell KRDO13 they saw Regnier outside handing out candy earlier in the night.

Arrest records obtained by KRDO13 detailed a statement one officer provided based on what they saw when they arrived at the scene. According to the written statement, when one officer was helping victims out of the home, a victim said, "Tiene un cuchillo," meaning "He/She has a knife" in Spanish. The officer said they then looked inside and saw Regnier standing naked, covered in blood.

According to statements from Regnier, the situation unfolded after he went to change the child's diaper, and he was trying to keep the child away from other members of the home.

Detectives say he told officers that he was attacked "unprovoked," that someone tried to strangle him, and he acted in self-defense.

Police also noted that Regnier recorded the incident on an iPhone. Detectives say he was holding the phone, screaming that he could not breathe, with a woman's arm around his neck. But police say he "repeatedly escaped from the supposed strangulation." After about three minutes of fighting in the video, police say Regnier went to the closet. This is when detectives say Regnier began stabbing the three other adults in the bedroom.

Regnier told police the video proved he was fearing for his life and acted in self-defense. However, police say the video and evidence at the scene did not support his statement of self-defense.

Police also say this wasn't the first time they'd been called to a dispute involving the same people. Just over a month before, on Sept. 26, police say they were called to a domestic disturbance, where the call for service noted "Knife accessible: BUCK KNIFE" and that the "Weapons location: IN THE ROOM W/SUSP AND CHILD." Police believe a buck knife was used in the attack on Oct. 31. Back in September, police say Regnier told officers that he was afraid of being in the residence due to a "three versus one" situation.

Lewis Palmer School District 38 said Monument Academy employed Regnier as a teacher. The district tells KRDO13 that he also served as a coach with the junior varsity soccer team at Palmer Ridge High School. They say he is no longer serving in his coaching role.

The Executive Director at Monument Academy shared this release with KRDO13:

Monument Academy administration was informed late Saturday night of the allegation of charges against Mr. Matthew Regnier, a secondary campus art teacher employed since August 2023. Effective November 2, 2025, Mr. Regnier’s employment with Monument Academy has been terminated.

Monument Academy will fully cooperate with law enforcement as needed in their ongoing investigation.

“This news is heartbreaking for our entire school community,” said Collin Vinchattle, Executive Director
of Monument Academy. “The safety, well-being, and trust of our students, families, and staff are our top
priorities. We are focused on providing care and support to those who may be affected.”

Counseling services are being made available to both students and staff as our community processes this difficult information.

Monument Academy remains committed to maintaining a safe, supportive, and caring learning
environment for every member of our Lynx family.

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