5-Year-Old And 7-Year-Old Stabbed To Death; Teen Brother Charged With Murder

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - A 5-year-old girl and a 7-year-old boy were stabbed to death in Colorado Springs early Tuesday morning and their 19-year-old brother has been arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder, police said.

The Colorado Police Department identified the suspect as Malik Vincent Murphy.

"Shock what the hell was going on in that poor kids head to make him do something like this," said Lynn Nudson, who lived near the family.

According to the arrest affidavit, Murphy told investigators he had been having homicidal thoughts and decided to kill his family so he could be alone in the house. He told detectives he purchased a knife at Walmart several months ago.

"All 4 of them were actually outside playing football in the yard, just having a good old time," said Rashelle Gravil.

The stabbing happened in the 900 block of Carlisle Street sometime before 1:10 a.m.

When officers arrived on scene they found the two children and their father with what appeared to be stab wounds.

All three were rushed to the hospital but doctors couldn't save the children. The father, Jefferson Murphy, is expected to survive.

Jefferson Murphy told investigators he was asleep in bed with his wife and woke up to the sound of screaming in the basement.

He said he went to check it out and that's when his 19-year-old son attacked him with a knife. Jefferson Murphy was able to push his son into the garage and detain him until officers arrived.

According to the affidavit, Malik Murphy told detectives he believed he stabbed his brother and his sister three times each. He reportedly told police he planned to bury them in the backyard.

"Always loving life, playing, always on roller blades or the big wheel, up and down the street throwing the frisbee, throwing the football, playing with mom and dad," said David Scharich, a neighbor.

The brother and sister were identified as Sophia and Noah Murphy.

By Tuesday afternoon, people had started placing stuffed animals and crosses outside the home.

"Any death is difficult that our officers, fire department, crews deal with. But when you're talking about two young children, it's hard to put into words. It's very, very difficult for our staff," said Colorado Springs Police Lt. Howard Black.

In:
• Colorado Springs Police
• Malik Murphy