SAM Magazine-Nederland, Colo., Dec. 30, 2008-Eldora Mountain Resort general manager Brian Mahon, 49, was the victim of an apparently random shooting this morning at the resort. The suspect, 24-year-old Derick Bonestroo, a lift attendant at Eldora, fled the scene and was pursued by a Boulder County deputy sheriff. After a brief chase, Bonestroo stopped his car and fired on the deputy, who returned fire, killing Bonestroo.

The tragedy began during the morning lift operators' meeting in the pump house at about 7:30 a.m. Bonestroo said something about religion to the 20 or so employees at the meeting and fired a shot into the ceiling. Mahon, who was elsewhere in the building at the time, came into the room and asked what was happening. Bonestroo shot him twice and fled. Ski patrollers attended to Mahon almost immediately, but were unable to save his life. He was declared dead at the scene.

Bonestroo, who was living in Nederland, had worked at the ski area since late November. Very little is known about what might have caused him to turn so violent.

Mahon had been active in the Nederland community and was widely liked and respected. He had been a manger at Eldora since 1991. "All of our thoughts and prayers go out to Brian and his family," said marketing director Rob Linde.

Mahon leaves behind a wife and two daughters. A memorial fund has been set up in Brian Mahon's name at the Mutual of Omaha Bank in Nederland.

Eldora Mountain Resort was closed for the day, but plans to reopen on Wednesday. \