On June 11, 2022, at around 11:30 a.m., the El Paso County Sheriff's Office Communications Center received a report of an active disturbance. 

The disturbance was ongoing within the 6100 block of Chaps View, located in Unincorporated El Paso within the city of Fountain. 

The caller said a family member was setting their house on fire and they needed help. 

Multiple deputies responded to the scene as well as fire personnel. While gathering information on scene they were redirected to a separate address down the road within the 5100 block of Chaps View and found 1 deceased adult. 

Preliminary information gathered from on scene witnesses provided suspect information. This information was released to local media as well as to the public through multiple information channels. 

Approximately 2 hours after the search, the suspect was involved in a traffic accident at the intersection of Rasner Road and Whittemore Road. He was transported to a hospital for injuries sustained from the house fire. 

Christopher James Lenard, date of birth July 22, 1978, has been arrested on the charge of First Degree Murder. Other charges will be filed pending a full investigation.

If anyone has information about this investigation, we urge you to contact us through our Tip Line at 719-520-7777 or Crime Stoppers at 719-634-7867 to remain anonymous.

We would like to thank our regional partners for their help in this investigation and to our local media for their assistance in information dissemination.