Colorado Planned Parenthood Shooting; 3 Dead; Suspect in Custody

A suspect has been taken into police custody after a standoff involving an active shooter at a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs that lasted over five hours, city officials said. Three victims, including one police officer, were killed in the shooting. At least 9 other victims, including five police officers, taken to the hospital are listed in good condition.

The initial call for the active shooter came from within the facility located on Centennial Boulevard around 11:38 a.m. local time. It is unclear whether the clinic was the target.

University of Colorado Colorado Springs officer Garrett Swasey was identified as the slain officer, the university said in a statement. The 44-year-old was a six year veteran of the UCCS police department. UCCS police was among various local and federal agencies that assisted Colorado Springs police in responding to the shooting at Planned Parenthood.

“It is with great sadness that I share that the tragic events today at the offices of Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs have touched the campus of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs,” UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley Zalabak said in a statement. “UCCS is working with Officer Swasey’s family and continues to support the Colorado Springs Police Department at the shooting scene.”

See Also:

• Melrose Native Identified as Slain Officer in Planned Parenthood Shooting

After much uncertainty on the gunman’s location, Lt. Catherine Buckley of the Colorado Springs Police department confirmed that the situation started inside the clinic, which was open at the time. People including staff and patients were being evacuated while those in nearby buildings were asked to shelter in place.

The man was taken into custody at 4:52 p.m. “It would be premature to speculate on the suspect’s motive,” Buckley said at a press conference after the suspect was taken into custody. Police identified the suspect Saturday morning as 57-year-old Robert Dear.

Dear brought what police described as “items” to the facility, which police needed to investigate before giving the all-clear. Explosive ordinance disposal units swept the building to make sure there was no further hazard. Police then went room to room to check for additional victims as part of the investigation.

President and CEO of Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountain Vicki Cowart released the following statement

“Our top priority is the safety of our patients and staff. Our hearts go out to everyone involved in this tragic situation. Planned Parenthood has strong security measures in place, works closely with law enforcement agencies, and has a very strong safety record. We don’t yet know the full circumstances and motives behind this criminal action, and we don’t yet know if Planned Parenthood was in fact the target of this attack. We share the concerns of many Americans that extremists are creating a poisonous environment that feeds domestic terrorism in this country. We will never back away from providing care in a safe, supportive environment that millions of people rely on and trust.”

Police warned media and the general public not to approach Centennial Boulevard and Fillmore Place. Those at a nearby shopping center who were sheltering in place were slowly being allowed to come out.

Centennial Boulevard was closed between Garden of Gods and Fillmore Place in both directions while the situation was active. Some roads in the area still remain closed.

Various local and federal authorities including the FBI and the ATF are assisting Colorado Springs police with the situation. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will investigate the officer-involved shooting aspects of the incident while the rest of the investigation will be handled by local police.

Picture of Officer Garrett Swasey courtesy UCCS

Mugshot of Robert Dear via Colorado Springs Police

Check back for updates on this developing story.