Colo Springs Stabbing Neighbors: 'We Will Rally' For This Family UPDATE

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO -- Neighbors of a Colorado Springs family that lost two children Tuesday in an alleged stabbing by a 19-year-old sibling -- which also injured their father -- say they will stand by the family and offer any kind of help they can. Colorado Springs Police arrested a 19-year old Malik Vincent Murphy in a domestic stabbing attack, after being summoned to the house in the 900 block of Carlisle Street around 1:11 a.m. Murphy was taken into custody and charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of five-year old Sophia and 7-year old Noah, who were identified by neighbors to the Denver Post.

Another neighbor, Lynn Nudson, said in a phone interview that the murdered children were always seen playing outside and riding bicycles with other children on the block. The family has two other children, ages 12 and 17, according to the Post.

"We are a strong neighborhood. We will rally," Nudson said, whether it meant fundraising, starting a GoFundMe or shoveling snow or raking leaves. "Anything we can do to help, we will. This family will have a long way to recover."

Nudson, who's lived in the neighborhood for 18 years, said the Murphy family had not been in the neighborhood long. "We notice when people move in and move out," she said. "Those kids were cute as a button, and always playing outside."

Nudson said her family moved to the neighborhood after a violent episode on the south side of Colorado Springs where a young neighbor turned violent and held police at bay with a rifle for two hours. Her small children hid in a bathtub because "we had practiced for the scenario," Nudson said. "This has always been a very quiet neighborhood," she added.

"This town is getting so violent, and [the police department] is so understaffed. We need way more officers. With such an influx in population, there's no way to keep up with it."

Nudson said she observed police cars flash past down the street early Tuesday morning, and assumed there was a bar-fight at the local watering hole nearby.

"I thought there was a big old brawl at O'Furry's. I could see flashing red lights on the buildings."

When news of the stabbings broke Tuesday morning, the neighbors showed support for each other and the family via a neighborhood website and social media, Nudson said.

"The neighborhood is taking it hard." Nudson said she and other neighbors had left flowers and notes at the home. She got to speak with a family spokesperson to let the family know that they were supported, she said.

Murphy's father's injuries are not life-threatening, police said.

Detectives are not looking for additional suspects, the police department statement said.

The two children attended Edison Elementary, according to the Denver Post. Grief counselors were on hand in the school, and a letter was sent home to parents.

The Colorado Springs Police Department’s Violent Crimes Section, Homicide Unit is still investigating. Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to call the Colorado Springs Police Department at (719) 444-7000. If you wish to remain anonymous, you may call Crime Stoppers Tip Line at (719) 634-STOP (7867) or 1-800-222-8477.

Image: Malik Vincent Murphy, Courtesy: Colorado springs Police Dept.