The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office has arrested a man in connection with three shootings, two of them fatal, that occurred early Saturday.
Sheriff’s deputies arrested Kenneth “Tex” Lankford, who they have identified as a person of interest, Sunday morning about 7:30 a.m., according to KRDO, News Channel 13.
One of the dead is Kenneth Lankford’s wife, Terry Thoke Trout, according to her mother, Clara Trout.
“It’s just a bad deal all around,” said Lankford’s father, Troy Lankford, 66.
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The Sheriff’s Office couldn’t be reached for comment.
Authorities have not divulged much about the crimes and have been careful about identifying a possible suspect.
On Saturday they said they wanted to speak with a “person of interest,” Lankford, 47, who has a connection to one of the homes. They did not specify the connection.
Lankford has a criminal record in three states and was out on a $1,000 bond on several charges, including drug possession with intent to distribute and possession of a weapon by a previous offender. He was also charged Oct. 17 with owning a dangerous dog that caused injury or death.
Lankford also owned a home on Shoup Road in Black Forest that was destroyed in this summer’s wildfire. Records indicate he lived there with Terry Thoke Trout.
The two are married, said Troy Lankford.
Authorities haven’t released names of the victims.
At about 8:30 a.m. Saturday, a 911 call came from 11725 Timberlane Court in Black Forest, with the homeowner reporting he had been shot in the face by an intruder.
According to records, the home is owned by Thomas and Carol Fowler.
The other crime scene was 6685 Burrows Road, about 5 miles east of the Timberline residence.
Neighbors on Burrows Road told reporters from KMGH News that a man named Ken lived at that residence with his wife or girlfriend and had moved there after the Black Forest fire. They told the TV station he occasionally slept in a tent on the property.
Lankford, who grew up in Texas and Utah, first went to jail when he was 19, and has been in and out of jail ever since, said his uncle, Norce Lankford, 62, of Longview, Texas. The younger Lankford, who grew up in Texas and Utah, according to his father, was arrested for numerous charges including selling drugs, burglary, theft, forgery, assault and aggravated assault.
“He cannot come here, absolutely, Norce Lankford said by phone Saturday. “I’m from Texas. If he pulls a gun out here, I’m going to have fun.”
Still, his uncle said, Kenneth Lankford, has one of the biggest hearts and will do anything for people.
“He was a good boy,” said Troy Lankford.
Norce Lankford said that his nephew has been running a pawn shop in Colorado Springs. “When he got on drugs he had a very hot temper,” Norce Lankford said. “He’s from Texas. When you want to get after it, we do it.”
