A family member of the woman killed Thursday during a shooting near the Walmart in Durango identified the victim as Wanda Murray, 66, of Durango.
The woman and her assailant, Michael Murray, 74, were taken to Mercy Hospital on Thursday afternoon after Michael reportedly shot the woman before turning the gun on himself, according to Durango Police Department.
Both individuals were pronounced dead Thursday evening.
Durango Police Department said in a Facebook post Friday afternoon that Michael approached Wanda as she was leaving her place of work near Walmart, getting into the passenger side of her vehicle. She immediately left the vehicle and tried to flee, and Michael followed.
For help
Help for people having suicidal thoughts or for those who fear a person is considering suicide:
Axis Care Hotline:
24/7 local response to your crisis & behavioral health needs: 247-5245
NATIONAL SUICIDE PREVENTION HOTLINE:
988
RED NACIONAL DE PREVENCIÓN DEL SUICIDIO:
988
FORT LEWIS COLLEGE COUNSELING CENTER:
247-7212
BOYS TOWN HOTLINE:
(800) 448-3000.
SAFE2TELL COLORADO:
(877) 542-7233 or safe2tell.org
COLORADO CRISIS SUPPORT LINE:
(844) 493-8255 or text “TALK” to 38255 or online at coloradocrisisservices.org to access a live chat available in 17 languages. The line has mental-health professionals available to talk to adults or youths 24 hours a day.
AMERICAN FOUNDATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION:
Colorado chapter information available at afsp.org/chapter/afsp-colorado/
FOR MEN:
A website for adult men contemplating suicide is available at mantherapy.org
When Wanda looked back, Michael took out a handgun and shot her, knocking her down. He then turned the gun on himself and fired into his chest, according to DPD.
The police department said bystanders immediately called 911. DPD, La Plata County Sheriff’s Office and Durango Fire Protection District responded within minutes and began life-saving measures on both individuals.
It is unclear how many bystanders witnessed the incident, said Tom Sluis, spokesman for the city of Durango.
“While we understand the public’s desire to know exactly what happened, this case is still open,” Police Chief Brice Current said. “Interviews are being conducted, evidence is being reviewed, and we are committed to a thorough and respectful investigation.”
Noting the traumatic nature of the incident, DPD said on Facebook that resources and support are available to family members, employees and community members who may have been affected.
Domestic violence resources
Manna soup kitchen: 385-5095
- Food market.
- Showers.
- ID assistance.
- Snap application assistance.
Women’s Resource Center: 247-1242
- Womenade.
- Scholarships.
- Computer access.
Southwest Safehouse: 259-5443
- Safe housing for survivors of intimate partner violence.
Colorado Legal Services: 247-0266
- Civil legal services.
Sexual assault services organization (SASO) hotline: 247-5400
- Advocacy.
- Prevention education programs.
- 24/7 hotline.
Advocates available at these locations:
- Manna soup kitchen: First and third Thursdays of the month from 10 a.m. to noon.
- Pine River Library: Second and fourth Wednesdays of the month from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Fort Lewis College Phoenix center: Every Tuesday and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. during the school year.
In a GoFundMe post, Durango resident Savannah Chavez said Murray is her grandmother. GoFundMe verified the authenticity of the fundraising campaign.
Chavez is seeking to raise $3,000 for her grandmother. She described Murray as “a light to everyone she encountered and an amazing human being.”
She said Murray’s suspected killer was an abusive ex-husband.
“My life has always been quite complicated, and I’ve climbed a lot of mountains, but Wanda was and still is my rock,” Chavez said on GoFundMe. “The thought of living without her is absolutely sickening, but together we can and we will.”
DPD asked witnesses and people who may have useful information to call the police department at 385-2900.
cburney@durangoherald.com
cburney@durangoherald.com
