Deadly Shooting at Christian Recording Studio
June 19, 2008 at 8:03 am | In Uncategorized | 7 CommentsThis is one of those senseless stories that leaves you asking why.
The owner of a faith-based recording studio and the engineer for Zion Gate Records were found shot to death in the parking lot of the business this morning.
Matthew Butler, the owner, was only 28. His friend and coworker, Stephen Swan, was 26.
Thanks to the Internet and Myspace, I was given a glimpse into their lives. Both seemed to be devote Christians, and Butler was a loving father and husband. Butler leaves behind a 22-year-old wife, Jamie, and two babies. I could not even begin to fathom what it’s like to be so young, and now a widow, and single mother. Please keep this family in your prayers.
Right now, police don’t know the motive behind this shooting, nor do they have any suspects. They think the shooter may have taken Stephen Swan’s car — a tan 1995 Crown Victoria with license plate# S05VCD
here are links to Zion Gate Records websites:
http://www.myspace.com/ziongaterecords
Matthew Butler’s myspace page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=8393078
Stephen Swan’s myspace page: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=25407526
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Matthew was a devoted christian, father and musician. I had the priveledge to counsel him for a while and he was definitely searching for the truth.
Comment by Russell bowles — June 19, 2008 #
This still has me rather shocked. I only hardly knew Matthew in the 4th grade, but I remembered his name because we could never get along. I know it may seem a bit silly to say that, but I was a kid and it was one of those things that just stuck in your memory cause that’s how kids are.
I wish I had been less annoying to him back then, and that I could have seen what he did with his life. I’m 27 now, and I can’t say half the same things for myself. I didn’t know he was capable of accomplishing such amazing things, and he didn’t deserve any of this. My thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Comment by Melissa Pitts — June 19, 2008 #
Thank you for sharing your stories. I think these two men had an impact on a lot of people.
Comment by melissanewton — June 20, 2008 #
Matthew Butler was a good friend. I had only met Steven Swan a couple of times, but he had worked on my recording project, mastering the final mixes.
Matt was a generous guy, giving of his time and talents. He had a passion for creating music, but especially music that expressed love and worship of Jesus Christ. Invariably, in any conversation with Matt, his love of God and his love for his wife and kids found their way in. A devoted Christian and family man is who he was and how he will be remembered by all who knew him.
Comment by Justin Stanton — June 24, 2008 #
My condolences go out to the families of the 2 men that were murdered, when they caught the guys that were responsible for the murders, a few stations interviewed them asking why they did it, one of the guys had no remorse for he did.
On another station crosstown they had the unedited interview with the guy that didn’t have any remorse for shooting (This was on their website, not on TV) and they asked him he wanted to say anything to the families of the victims, he simply replied “F–k Em” It’s people like that don’t care about human life, you can betcha they’ll throw the book at him in court, it wouldn’t surprise me if they gave him the death penalty.
Comment by Monte — July 10, 2008 #
It’s been a little over 9 weeks now since Matthew and Steve were murdered and we are all still in shock. Matthew was a wonderful son, a loving, kind, generous, faithful, and sweet soul! He had overcome so much and his life was better than ever. He LOVED Jamie and his little “kiddos” as he called them. Matthew was an awewome daddy. I remember when he was little, he asked me what he should be when he grew up because he said he wanted his dad and I to be really proud of him. I told him that it didn’t matter WHAT he chose to be. The most important thing was that he LOVED his work and above all, put God 1st place in his life. I told him to become a man of God; a faithful, humble and committed Christian man. Matthew was. He shared Jesus with everyone and was unashamed of the Gospel of Christ. He wanted everyone to know that they too could have ETERNAL LIFE through faith in Christ Jesus. We are hearing from so many people that were touched by Matthew’s testimony and his faith in Jesus. Thank you for sharing your memories and your thoughts about him. We miss him so much!! Losing your son, your only child, is a pain that can not be described. It’s so very sad that little Matthew and McKayla will never again see their daddy on this earth. Jamie has to face the near future raising those babies without their daddy. What a tragedy!! If you would like to help Jamie and the kids, there is a memorial fund set up at any Washington Mutual Bank in the name “Matthew Butler Memorial Fund”. The studio is now open for business. Jamie wants to try to keep it open in memory of Matthew. It was his dream; his passion in life. If you would like to help her keep Matthew’s dream alive, send a contact form to us with your information on the website http://www.ziongaterecords.com and I’ll give you a call. Thank you for your prayers and support. Theresa Butler
Comment by Theresa Butler — August 23, 2008 #
Theresa, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts and memories of Matthew. I cannot imagine what it is like to lose a child. I believe his life has and will continue to touch many people. Your family will stay in my prayers.
Comment by melissanewton — September 3, 2008 #