COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A bizarre and tragic stabbing incident on Halloween night has left a community in shock and a 33-year-old man facing multiple felony charges, including murder and attempted murder.
Authorities were called to a home on the 1400 block of El Paso Street just before midnight, responding to reports of a domestic disturbance. When police arrived, they found Matthew Regnier naked and covered in blood, cradling a 2-year-old child. Inside the residence, investigators discovered three victims: a man who succumbed to his injuries, and two women who survived the attack. The male victim was identified as the child’s uncle, while the connections among the other individuals are still being clarified.
According to a police affidavit, Regnier allegedly used a buck knife, characterized by its handle made from animal antlers, during the attack. This knife was located at the scene and appeared to blend in with the home’s rustic decor, which included mounted animal skulls and hides.
In statements to law enforcement, Regnier asserted that he acted in self-defense, claiming he was physically attacked by the adults present. He indicated he felt outnumbered and contended the situation escalated when they attempted to harm him. Remarkably, he recorded segments of the violent encounter on his cellphone, which he held in selfie mode as events unfolded.
Detectives who reviewed the footage noted that it depicted Regnier being restrained by one of the women before he began to stab her repeatedly. The video also captured audio of the ensuing violence against the other woman and the uncle, who rushed to the scene after hearing screams.
One survivor recounted that Regnier had blocked access to the child after changing the toddler’s diaper, raising questions about his state of mind. Although Regnier admitted he could not explain why the others might attack him, witnesses reported an unsettling series of events leading up to the violence.
Neighbors noted seeing Regnier handing out Halloween candy earlier that evening, a stark contrast to the chaos that would unfold later. Officials confirmed that he had been working as an art teacher at Monument Academy and assisted with coaching junior varsity soccer at Palmer Ridge High School. Following his arrest, his positions at both institutions were terminated.
Regnier is currently being held without bail at the El Paso County Jail and is due in court for his first hearing on November 10. Meanwhile, local law enforcement continues to investigate the incident, piecing together the details of a night that turned deadly and shattered the usual festivities associated with Halloween. The community is left grappling with the aftermath of this violence, as it casts a pall over a holiday typically celebrated with joy and laughter.