Crime

John Lorenz Allegedly Texted Photo of Pointed Gun to Man -- and Then Killed Him

Update below: Did Colorado Springs landlord John Lorenz text a photo of pointed gun to a man living at his place -- and then use the weapon to kill him later in the day? That's among the assertions in a police report naming Lorenz, who's currently in custody on suspicion of first-degree murder. Photos and details below.

See also: Joseph Romero Busted in Murder of Girlfriend Phenia Martinez, Who Was 8-Months Pregnant

About 10:48 p.m. on Friday, January 23, according to the Colorado Springs Police Department, officers responded to an address on the 4300 block of Northridge Place after receiving a report about a shooting.

Inside the residence, they found the 38-year-old man dead.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, the CSPD stated that "there is no threat to the community as a result of this incident" -- a statement frequently used by law-enforcers when they have a strong feeling who was responsible but have not yet made an arrest. And indeed, the announcement that Lorenz, 53, had been busted on a murder charge was announced a day or so later.

The Colorado Springs Gazette subsequently accessed the police report, which offers vivid details about what led to the slaying.

Presumably, a beef had been brewing between the landlord and the victim, one of several people said to have been living in a house owned by Lorenz. The Gazette reports that the victim's girlfriend says her beau received a text message from Lorenz that morning. In it, Lorenz is said to have been "pointing a gun at the person taking the picture." The man shared the text with his girlfriend, adding the comment, "Look what I woke up to."

The men apparently spent much of the day arguing, and by that night, both were intoxicated, the report maintains. Lorenz subsequently confronted the victim in the living room of the home, and things got physical. The victim's girlfriend was able to temporarily put a stop to their pushing and shoving, the Gazette maintains -- but then, she told investigators, Lorenz announced that he was going to kill the man and headed to his bedroom. The victim followed, in what his girlfriend believes was an attempt to prevent him from bringing out the gun seen in the aforementioned text.

The next thing the others in the house heard was a gunshot -- after which the victim fell through Lorenz's bedroom doorway.

Lorenz is currently being held without bond.

Update: Shortly after the publication of this post, the Colorado Springs Police Department revealed the name of the victim in this case: Paul John Lattner. Our condolences to his friends, family and loved ones.

Here's a look at Lorenz's double-mug shot.

Send your story tips to the author, Michael Roberts.

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Michael Roberts has written for Westword since October 1990, serving stints as music editor and media columnist. He currently covers everything from breaking news and politics to sports and stories that defy categorization.
Contact: Michael Roberts

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