Fort Carson Staff Sgt. killed by police after domestic disturbance

Army staff sergeant shot and killed after allegedly pointing rifle at police through basement window

Army Times
Kyle Rempfer
April 30,2020

Thorpe, a 28-year-old combat veteran assigned to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, joined the Army on May 22, 2012, according to his service history. His home of record is Canton, Massachusetts. He had been assigned to Fort Carson since April 14, 2016.

Thorpe deployed to Afghanistan between May 2, 2013, and Dec. 1, 2013.

(Blackfoot Troop 4-10 Cavalry Regiment)

An Afghanistan veteran and non-commissioned officer was shot and killed by four police officers on April 19 after he allegedly picked up a rifle and pointed it at them through a basement window, Colorado Springs Police Department officials said.

Staff Sgt. Virgill Thorpe, a cavalry scout assigned to nearby Fort Carson, was shot on a Sunday night. A woman had called police to report a domestic disturbance in which a man was armed with a rifle. Officers arrived at the 3200 block of Oak Creek Drive East in Colorado Springs at roughly 10 p.m. and spoke at the front door with Thorpe.

“There was a verbal exchange. The suspect then ran inside ... downstairs to the basement of the residence where the [reporting party] was at,” said Colorado Springs Police spokesman Lt. Jim Sokolik.

“Officers were on the outside of the residence and could see through the basement window that he picked up a rifle," Sokolik added. “He then pointed that rifle at the officers who were outside the residence, through the basement window. And that’s when the officers fired.”

All four officers fired shots. Until the coroner’s report comes back, which takes about four weeks or longer, police cannot say definitively how many times Thorpe was struck. Sokolik could also not say how many rounds were fired in total or how large the basement window was through which Thorpe pointed his rifle.
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Fort Carson MP's and FBI arrested veteran after making threats

Pueblo man accused of making threats towards law enforcement and government officials

KOAA News
By: Benjamin Lloyd
Mar 10, 2020

Photo by: Pueblo County Sheriff's Office

A Pueblo man is in the custody of the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office on charges of harassment and obstruction of government operations after law enforcement say he made threats against police and government officials.

37-year-old Thomas Wornick was arrested on Fort Carson by the FBI, Pueblo Police and military police.

According to the sheriff's office, Wornick identified himself as a disabled veteran and made several threats via email towards defense lawyers, businesses and others, including Pueblo County Sheriff's deputies.
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Fort Carson Soldier falsely charged for abusing baby,,,until truth finally came out

Fort Carson Soldier Charged with Abusing His Child until Bone Disorder Found

The Associated Press
By JENNIFER BROWN
17 Feb 2020

Crystal gave up on restoring her nursing certification — the main reason she wanted it was to take care of Jace’s g-tube. Jarvis is still waiting for the Army to restore his security clearance, and when it does the Bryants hope to leave Colorado for another Army post. The state where their baby was born has too many bad memories.

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (AP) — When a child protection caseworker told Crystal Bryant they were taking her 5-month-old boy, the young mother dropped to her knees on the hospital floor.

“Take me,” she pleaded. “For my son to stay home, take me, I don’t care.”

She begged God and anyone listening, but “they still took him,” Bryant recalled, shaking her head and wiping tears as she recounted the worst moment of her life. Child welfare and police officers made Bryant and her husband, Jarvis Bryant, leave the Colorado Springs hospital room before a foster mother arrived to take their baby away.

Their lives were shattered.

The Bryants, who moved to Fountain when Jarvis was assigned to Fort Carson, were charged with felony child abuse, accused of breaking multiple bones in their only child’s body. Crystal’s recently earned nursing certificate was revoked. Jarvis, a U.S. Army specialist, lost his security clearance, stripping him of his job in aircraft and vehicle supply and relegating him to paper shuffling.

The Bryants’ son was one of 4,772 Colorado children removed from their homes by child welfare authorities and living in foster care last year.
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"What I took away was that we are never alone when we are at our darkest."

National Prayer Breakfast — Warriors should seek help during dark times

Fort Carson
By Norman Shifflett
Garrison Public Affairs Office
February 16, 2020

“What I took away was that we are never alone when we are at our darkest,” said Spc. Alexis Garwood, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div, who was attending her first prayer breakfast.

FORT CARSON, Colo. — During the National Prayer Breakfast, Soldiers eat breakfast at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Feb. 6, 2020. (Photo by Norman Shifflett)

FORT CARSON, Colo. — The National Day of Prayer provides an opportunity for people from various faiths and backgrounds to come together and unite for a prayer for the nation.

About 500 Soldiers, Family members and guests from the local community attended the annual Fort Carson National Prayer Breakfast Feb. 6, 2020, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center.

“The most important part of this breakfast is that it shows the people of America we can come together as different races, colors and creeds and pray for the safety of our nation and hope for the greatness to continue,” said Col. Robert Glazener, senior mission command chaplain, 4th Infantry Division.
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Military Private Housing in Wake of Scandal Review---Bad

update Army IG finds widespread concerns with privatized housing and lack of oversight

More Army, Navy Families Unhappy with Private Housing in Wake of Scandal

Military.com
By Patricia Kime
28 Jul 2019

Fort Bragg was at the bottom of the list with an overall rating of 58.9, or "very poor." The North Carolina base housing is managed by Corvias. Fort Meade, Maryland, also managed by Corvias, and Fort Carson, Colorado, managed by Balfour Beatty, were the only two installations to receive "poor" ratings.

Sgt. Andrew McNeil (left), a public affairs mass communication noncommissioned officer, discusses his housing concerns and conditions with Maj. Tabitha Hernandez, commander, 22nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, XVIII Airborne Corps, during the unit’s command housing visits at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, on April 5, 2019. Bragg came in last on a survey of Army housing, with an overall rating of 58.9, or "very poor." (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Gregory T. Summers)

Satisfaction with privatized military housing has declined since last year for both the Army and Navy, according to surveys released by the services Thursday.

But while soldiers and families living in base housing can view the survey results and see where their installations fall on the spectrum, the results of the Navy survey don't contain specifics for each base and provide only a general look at the overall state of Navy housing.

After a scandal earlier this year as reports came to light of vermin, mold and lead contamination in U.S. military housing managed by private companies, the services launched a series of inspections and fixes, including resident surveys, to determine the extent of the issues and how to address them.
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Fort Carson 10th Special Forces Group Lost Hero

Decorated special forces soldier dies in combat in Afghanistan

NBC News
By Tim Stelloh
July 14, 2019

Sgt. Maj. James Sartor "was a beloved warrior who epitomized the quiet professional," a military official said.

A Special Forces company sergeant was killed during combat operations in Afghanistan, military officials said Sunday.

Sgt. Maj. James Sartor, 40, died Saturday in the country’s northern Faryab Province, U.S. Army Special Operations spokesman Lt. Col. Loren Bymer said in a statement.

Additional details about Sartor’s death were not immediately available.

Sartor, of Teague, Texas, was assigned to the 10th Special Forces Group in Fort Carson, Colorado, Bymer said. He deployed to Iraq as an infantryman in 2002 and later as a Green Beret. Sartor had served in Afghanistan twice — once in 2017 and again this year.

Sartor, who went by "Ryan," joined the Army in June, 2001, and was given more than 20 awards and decorations during his military career. He will posthumously receive a Purple Heart and Bronze Star, Bymer said.
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Community honors memory of soldier who never got to meet his baby son

Hundreds of flags decorate coffee shop belonging to fallen soldier and wife

The Denver Channel
By: Jessica Barreto
Jul 05, 2019

Sergeant Elliott Robbins also leaves behind a baby son, Elliott Jr., who was born shortly after his deployment.

FLORISSANT, Colo.
Hundreds of U.S. flags now adorn a coffee shop in belonging to a fallen Fort Carson soldier and his wife.

Special Forces Sergeant First Class Elliott Robbins died earlier this week in Afghanistan, just three weeks before he was set to return home.

Many took time out of their holiday on Thursday to pay their respects to Robbins and his family.

Costello Street Coffee House opened up early at 6:30 Thursday morning, and folks from all over the area stopped by to plant a flag, drop off a note of encouragement, and simply let this grieving family know there is an entire community behind them.

"Without them giving up everything for us, we can't celebrate," said Amber Ray, a military spouse who went to the coffee shop with her family.

Robbins deployed to Afghanistan earlier this year, and on Sunday, his family found out he would not be coming home.
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Green Beret from Utah died in Afghanistan

Utah soldier dies in Afghanistan

Deseret News Utah
Jasen Lee
Published: July 1, 2019

SALT LAKE CITY — A decorated soldier from Ogden has died while serving in the Middle East.

Sgt. 1st Class Elliott Robbins, 31, died Sunday in a noncombat incident in Helmand Province, Afghanistan, while serving in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel, according to a Pentagon report. The incident is under investigation.

A Green Beret, Robbins was assigned to D Company, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Airborne Group in Fort Carson, Colorado.

His parents said he was deployed in January — his third tour in the Middle East — and was set to return to Utah any day. Robbins leaves behind a wife and an infant son.

His father, Freeman Robbins, was a career Army man himself and said some of that military dedication may have rubbed off on his son. He said his son was proud of his country and proud to serve it.

"What can a parent say? I mean, they're proud that their child does well in what he does," Freeman Robbins said. "He was an Army medic and saved a lot of lives. How can you not be proud of something like that?"

Freeman Robbins says his son served with valor, earning multiple awards. He admitted that at times it was difficult to read about why he Sgt. Robbins received the awards — knowing he was put into some very dangerous situations.
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Fort Carson Missing Soldier Found Safe

Missing Fort Carson soldier found alive

KKTV News
By Tony Keith/Lindsey Grewe
Apr 17, 2019

"The soldiers of our brigade are tremendously relieved that our Soldier has been recovered safely," said Col. Dave Zinn, commander of 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

FORT CARSON, Colo. (KKTV) - A Fort Carson soldier who went missing Monday night has been found alive, the Mountain Post confirms.

The soldier had been participating in the "Expert Field Medical Badge competition" and was last seen on foot at the Fort Carson Land Navigation course, which is on the southeastern corner of the post near Pueblo West. The last time someone reported seeing the soldier was about 9:45 p.m. on Monday.

More than 1,700 soldiers, along with Directorate of Emergency Services personnel, and search rescue teams from El Paso, Fremont and Douglas counties took part in a ground search. Additionally, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., and Flight for Life helicopters searched from the air.
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100 Fort Carson soldiers came home on Valentine's Day

Valentine's Homecoming at Fort Carson

FOX 2 News
Brandon Thompson
February 15, 2019

FORT CARSON, Colo. - Thursday, 100 Fort Carson soldiers returned home to their families after a nine-month deployment in Europe.

The mission for the 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division was to work with American allies in the Balkan and Baltic states on training, readiness and information sharing.

"This just is a special moment for us all getting back," Billy Austin said. "Just looking out and doing what's best for our country, I really enjoy it. It means a lot."

Austin has been in the Army for around 20 years. This was his first deployment away from his two younger children, and over the course of his time away from home, his third was born, a son named Ryker.

"It just makes you appreciate the smaller things in life," Austin said. "Spending time with these four, I've been looking forward to it for nine months."

For another family, the Montanos, this was their first homecoming and deployment.

"This is my first homecoming, but I've been in the crowd to support my cousin's," said Nathan Montano.

Montano left for his mission just weeks after his daughter, Alice, was born.
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Fort Carson Staff Sgt. shot by police

Suspect shot by officers at Springs apartment complex

KKTV 11 News
By Lindsey Grewe
Jan 23, 2019

The suspect sustained nonlife-threatening injuries. He was identified Thursday morning as 33-year-old Thomas McGeorge.

Fort Carson confirmed Thursday that McGeorge is an active duty staff sergeant. He works as a Fire Support Specialist in the Army's field artillery team. He has served in the military for just under 11 years.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - Officers opened fire in an apartment complex Wednesday night after an encounter with an armed suspect.

What led up to the police-involved shooting remains under investigation. Colorado Springs Police Department spokesperson Lt. Howard Black says officers were initially called to the Mountain Ridge Apartments on Verde Drive on reports of someone repeatedly firing a gun.

"These multiple shots were being called in by multiple people over a period of time," Black said.

Witnesses reported hearing at least half a dozen gunshots.

"We were smoking a cigarette, and we heard like seven gunshots, and we didn’t think nothing of it ... all of a sudden a bunch of cops showed up, and it was terrible," Gere Burrell told 11 News.
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Fort Carson Soldiers Changing Lanes

Fort Carson Soldiers Graduate from New Caliber Collision Changing Lanes Program

Collision Week

COLLISIONWEEK EDITOR 

January 4, 2019

Changing Lanes is free training program for Fort Carson 

Transitioning from a regimented military environment to the unpredictability of civilian life is one of the most stressful times for many soldiers.

The first Fort Carson graduates from the Changing lanes Falcon Academy are (L-R) Specialist Patrick Horn of Oakland, CA, Specialist Adrian Jimenez Cruz of Salinas, CA, Master Sergeant Robert Apfelbaum and Specialist McKinley Kerns, both of Colorado Springs.

Four soldiers from Fort Carson graduated stress-free from Caliber Collision’s Changing Lanes Falcon Academy, armed with a $12,000 toolbox, a secure employment offer and new career in the collision repair industry. 

Fort Carson Soldiers team up with Salvation Army for community

Thousands get a Thanksgiving meal in Colorado Springs thanks to Salvation Army, Fort Carson and volunteers

KOAA 5 News
Jessica Barreto
November 22, 2018

COLORADO SPRINGS – Thousands of people in Southern Colorado got a Thanksgiving dinner thanks to a tag-team effort between The Salvation Army and U.S. Army soldiers assigned to Fort Carson. The Salvation Army hosts the meal. The Fort Carson Soldiers do the cooking.

“Our cooks have been prepping food for about the last week,” said Brigadier General, William J. Thigpen. read more here

Also, Firefighters open their stations to Air Force trainees for Thanksgiving
SAN ANTONIO - Firefighters at just about every fire station across the city are celebrating their Thanksgiving with the men and women in Air Force.

This is the 14th year for "Operation: Homecooking." Military Trainees at Joint Base San Antonio - Lackland, who were not able to be with their own families today, were invited to share delicious firehouse food with firefighters.

Fort Carson 300 Welcomed Home

300 soldiers return from Afghanistan in an emotional family reunion

KRDO News
By: Dani Fried
Posted: Nov 09, 2018

A homecoming for about 300 Fort Carson soldiers from the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division was held Friday morning at 12:45 at William "Bill" Reed Special Events Center.

Families filled the center earlier in the evening, preparing to greet their loved ones.

"I can't wait for him to meet his son," said Ursula Lopez, whose son, Damien, was born only three days after her husband was deployed.

The 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed in February. They were gone for a total of nine months.

Teddy Anderson, the young son of Maj. John Anderson, immediately began crying after Major Anderson ran in front of the other soldiers to greet him and his brother.
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Fort Carson Soldier stopped attack on bus

Fort Carson soldier steps in to help after bus crash, stops suspect from running
KRDO News
By: Krystal Story
Posted: August 21, 2018

Colorado Springs, Colo. - A Fort Carson soldier is being hailed a hero for stepping up to help after he witnessed a bus crash along Interstate 25 Monday evening.

Nathaniel Barrett-Frieson was in the car with his wife and newborn baby when they came upon a Greyhound bus on top of a guardrail near South Academy.

When Barrett-Frieson got out of the car to make sure everyone was okay, he quickly realized a man, now identified as Edmundo Arellanes-Audelo, was allegedly threatening passengers with a knife.

"He ended up slipping through one of the broken windows on the bus and he came out and that's when I saw he had the knife and I told him to drop the knife and move over by some bushes to get some good distance between me and him," said Barrett-Frieson.
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Two Fort Hood veterans planned wedding, now funeral and trial

Bride-To-Be Accused Of Killing Fiancé In Fight Over Wedding Guest
CBS 4 Denver
Brandon Watkins
July 25, 2018

A friend of Watkins told KKTV the couple served together in the Army at Fort Carson.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) — A bride-to-be is accused of killing her fiancé while they were planning their wedding.

Jacqueline Souza, 31, told investigators she thought her fiancé, Brandon Watkins, was having an affair – and that he wanted to invite that woman to their wedding in Las Vegas, KKTV reports.

The couple reportedly got into a fight about the invitation when they got home late Friday night after celebrating their upcoming wedding and Watkins’ new job.
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Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Bannister passed away

UPDATE

Coroner releases cause of death for Army general who died while on leave
Major General Jeffrey Bannister, 57, who was on transition leave in Lake Murray, died Sunday due to natural causes, coroner Margaret Fisher said.

Retiring Army general dies while on leave in South Carolina
STARS AND STRIPES
By DENISSE RAUDA
Published: May 30, 2018

The Rome, Ga., native served in Iraq and led divisions at Ft. Carson, Colo. He commanded the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, N.Y., from 2015 until May of last year. His time there included an 11-month deployment to Afghanistan.

An Army general died Sunday while on leave in South Carolina and his death is being investigated, according to a statement from Shaw Air Force Base.

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Bannister, 57, was on the verge of retirement and on transition leave when he died at Lake Murray near Columbia, S.C., base officials told WIS-TV.

Bannister, who served in the Army for 34 years, was assigned to Shaw as a special project officer for the Chief of Staff of the Army, the report said.
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Two Fort Carson Soldiers killed in helicopter crash

Two Fort Carson soldiers killed in helicopter crash
KKTV 11 News
Spencer Wilson
January 20, 2018

FORT IRWIN, CA (KKTV) Fort Carson has confirmed that an Army AH64 Apache helicopter crashed about 1 a.m. Saturday during pre-deployment training operations at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.

Two 4th Infantry Division Soldiers were on board at the time of the accident. They died in the crash. Names and service information for those soldiers are being withheld pending next-of-kin notification.
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Fort Carson Soldiers Rescue Woman Trapped in Car

Fort Carson Soldiers credited with helping a woman pinned by a vehicle
KKTV 11 News
January 3, 2016

"I mean, at the minimum they prevented further injury they could have even saved her life," said Trooper Timothy Deen with the Colorado State Patrol.

FOUNTAIN, Colo. (KKTV) - Several Fort Carson Soldiers are being hailed as unsung heroes. Members of the Colorado State Patrol are hoping to give credit where credit is due.

A rollover crash Tuesday morning left a woman pinned by part of her red SUV. The crash happened at about 7 a.m. on I-25 near the Mesa Ridge Parkway exit.

Good Samaritans that stopped to help say there were at least three men, likely from Fort Carson, that held the vehicle up off the woman until the fire department arrived on scene.

"She was pinned and trapped, she was able to speak and let us know that she didn't believe that she was injured in anyway," said Sgt. Sean Hartley with the Fountain Police Department. "However half of her body was in the vehicle and the other half was out with the vehicle on its side and kind of leaning towards the rest of her body."

The crash was believed to be caused by icy road conditions. The conditions didn't keep the group of unidentified soldiers from attempting to help the trapped woman.
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Fort Carson Operation Stryker Christmas

Hundreds of Fort Carson soldiers help the homeless during Operation Stryker Christmas
FOX 21 News
By Angela Case and Lauren McDonald
Published: December 15, 2016,

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Hundreds of Fort Carson soldiers delivered items to those in need during the annual Operation Stryker Christmas Thursday morning.

About 350 soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team carried donated goods from Fort Carson to the Marian House Soup Kitchen in downtown Colorado Springs. They started the 25-mile ‘Manchu Mile’ Wednesday evening and arrived at Marion House Thursday morning.

The Manchu Mile commemorates the 85-mile march the 9th regiment completed during the Boxer Rebellion in July 1900.

Another 1,400 soldiers with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team marched from Dorchester Park to Marian House Thursday with rucksacks full of donated goods.

All of the items were donated by soldiers and their families.
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