BY GAIL BINKLY

A 38-year-old Cortez man was gunned down Tuesday evening in his Pinon Drive home in the first area homicide of the new year. His roommate has been charged with his murder, according to police.

The victim, Greg Allen Morris of 111 Pinon Drive, was shot multiple times, Police Chief Roy Lane said Wednesday. Morris’ body was sent to Montrose for an autopsy.

Bradley Scott Cassels of the same address was arrested on the scene and taken to the Montezuma County Jail, where he remained in custody Wednesday afternoon on a $1-million bond, according to Lane. He said Cassels offered no resistance when he was arrested.

The apparent murder weapon, an older 9-mm handgun, was in the house at the time but not in Cassels’ possession, Lane said.

The killing is still under investigation, Lane said, declining to comment on a possible motive.

He said the dispatch center received a 911 call at 7:06 p.m. Tuesday from someone in the house, presumably Cassels.

"Upon arrival, we found Mr. Cassels, who was arrested at the scene," Lane said. Cassels has been charged with first-degree murder, he said.

Morris had recently worked at Arby’s restaurant, according to manager Joy Dupree.

"He worked here briefly, about six or eight weeks," she said. "He quit about two weeks ago. He needed more hours and he had another job where they were able to put him on full-time." She did not know where his other place of employment was, however.

She said the news had saddened Arby’s employees.

"He was a nice man."

Funeral services for Morris will be Monday, Jan. 17, at 11 a.m. at the Ertel Memorial Chapel.