Planned Parenthood Official Says Gunman Opposed to Abortion

While officials have not speculated on the gunman’s motive after an attack at a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs left three people dead, the organization said in a statement the suspect was motivated by opposition to safe and legal abortion.

President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains Vicki Cowart said it learned the information through eyewitness accounts. “This is an appalling act of violence targeting access to health care and terrorizing skilled and dedicated health care professionals.”

A law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity with the Associated Press said after his arrest, 57-year-old Robert Dear said, “no more baby parts.” Soon after news of Dear’s motive broke, Colorado Springs police said unofficial motives or details on the shooting could impact the investigation. The warrants in the investigation have been sealed.

All the clinic’s staff were accounted for after the shooting but three people were killed including a police officer. At least nine others were injured and taken to local hospitals. Among the dead was a UCCS police officer and two civilians. They were identified as Garrett Swasey, 44, a six-year veteran of UCCS police, Ke’Arre Stewart, 29, an Iraq War veteran and Jennifer Markovsky, 35, a mother of two.

The Center for Medical Progress, an anti-abortion organization that posted a video that it claimed showed a senior Planned Parenthood official talking about selling aborted fetus parts for money condemned the attack, calling it a barbaric killing spree by a violent madman.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper ordered flags to be lowered to half-staff Sunday as a mark of respect for the victims.

Dear, who is expected to make his first court appearance Monday, was described as a recluse who stashed food in the woods and avoided eye contact with his neighbors in rural Colorado.

Planned Parenthood provides reproductive health care services including STD testing and abortion services at some locations, including the one targeted in Colorado Springs. The location had also been the site of recent anti-abortion protests.

Mugshot of Robert Dear via Colorado Springs Police