Misplaced Pages

Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting

Article snapshot taken from Wikipedia with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by DreamGuy (talk | contribs) at 14:34, 6 December 2015 (→Suspect: adding mugshot, since only person against it refuses to say why and policy suggest otherwise). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Revision as of 14:34, 6 December 2015 by DreamGuy (talk | contribs) (→Suspect: adding mugshot, since only person against it refuses to say why and policy suggest otherwise)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) This article is about the Colorado Springs shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic on November 27. For the October 31 shooting, see List of shootings in Colorado.

2015 Colorado Springs shooting
Colorado Springs is located in ColoradoColorado SpringsColorado SpringsShow map of ColoradoColorado Springs is located in the United StatesColorado SpringsColorado SpringsShow map of the United States
LocationPlanned Parenthood Westside Health Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Coordinates38°52′51″N 104°50′56″W / 38.8807°N 104.8489°W / 38.8807; -104.8489
DateNovember 27, 2015 (2015-11-27)
c. 11:38 a.m. – 4:52 p.m. (MST)
Attack typeShooting, shootout
WeaponsLong gun
Deaths3
Injured9
MotiveInvestigated as Christian terrorism, Army of God-inspired

On November 27, 2015, a shooting spree and five-hour standoff with police occurred near a grocery store and at a nearby Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado. A police officer and two civilians were killed; five police officers and four civilians were injured. After a standoff that lasted five hours, police convinced the suspected shooter, identified as Robert Lewis Dear, to surrender. He was taken into custody.

The incident drew comments from anti-abortion and abortion-rights movements. Authorities said the motive was unknown on the day of the shooting, but later investigation reveals that the suspect was likely inspired by his extreme right-wing views. On November 30, 2015, Dear was charged with murder in the first-degree and was ordered to be held without bond.

Shooting

Law enforcement responded to a report of an active shooter near a Colorado Springs shopping mall and Planned Parenthood clinic at approximately 11:38 a.m. MST. Eyewitnesses described seeing a man with a chest wound stagger into a grocery store called "King Soopers" in a shopping mall about a fifth of a mile south of the Planned Parenthood clinic. According to the Colorado Springs Police Department, the gunman then moved into the Planned Parenthood clinic. Staff inside the clinic said they heard the gunfire outside and then moved people out of the waiting room, and locked a security door. As responding officers approached the building, the suspect fired at them, hitting several. A five-hour standoff then ensued. Initial reports described the gunman as "wearing hunting gear and armed with a long gun".

At the time of the incident, twenty gunshots were reportedly fired within five minutes. Police swarmed the area, and nearby stores were put on lockdown.

Standoff and arrest

During the standoff, officers who made it inside the clinic reportedly shouted to communicate with a suspect, attempting to persuade him to surrender. He eventually complied, resulting in his arrest at 4:52 p.m. Following apprehension of the suspect, law enforcement began searching the building, as well as the suspect's car, for possible explosives. The suspected gunman was later identified as Robert Lewis Dear, a 57-year-old man from North Carolina.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called to assist in the investigation, and President Barack Obama was briefed on the incident. As a precautionary response to the shooting, additional law enforcement personnel were assigned to Planned Parenthood clinics in New York City and Denver.

Victims

Three individuals were killed in the shooting: University of Colorado Colorado Springs police officer Garrett Swasey, 44, who responded to the shooting; Ke'Arre M. Stewart, 29, who ran back to the clinic to warn others after being shot; and Jennifer Markovsky, 35, who was accompanying a friend to the clinic. Nine other victims, comprising five police officers and four civilians, were shot and admitted to local area hospitals.

Suspect

] Suspected gunman Robert Lewis Dear, Jr., aged fifty-seven at the time of his arrest, was born in South Carolina and spent most of his life in the Carolinas. Dear worked as an independent art dealer and lived in a succession of trailers and cabins before moving to Colorado in 2014. He was living in a trailer in Hartsel at the time of the shooting.

A woman who was married to Dear from 1985 to 1993 told NBC News that Dear had targeted a Planned Parenthood clinic before, by putting glue on its locks, and had a history of violent behavior. In the court document for their 1993 divorce, his ex-wife said, "He claims to be a Christian and is extremely evangelistic, but does not follow the Bible in his actions. He says that as long as he believes he will be saved, he can do whatever he pleases. He is obsessed with the world coming to an end.". Dear wrote on a marijuana forum: "Turn to JESUS or burn in hell WAKE UP SINNERS U CANT SAVE YOURSELF U WILL DIE AN WORMS SHALL EAT YOUR FLESH, NOW YOUR SOUL IS GOING SOMEWHERE." The New York Times also reported that " number of people who knew Mr. Dear said he was a staunch abortion opponent", that "ne person who spoke with him extensively about his religious views said Mr. Dear had praised people who attacked abortion providers, saying they were doing 'God's work'", and that "n 2009, Mr. Dear described as 'heroes' members of the Army of God, a loosely organized group of anti-abortion extremists that has claimed responsibility for a number of killings and bombings.".

Police, citing an "active investigation", said on November 29 that the warrants related to the case against Dear have been sealed, and that consequently information about the timeline of events, the suspect's motive, and the weapon used would not be released "at this time". According to an unnamed senior law enforcement official, first quoted by NBC News, Dear gave a "rambling" interview after his arrest in which he said at one point, "No more baby parts", a statement that has been seen as a reference to the Planned Parenthood 2015 undercover videos controversy. The unnamed official added that Dear "said a lot of things" in his police interview, including that he has anti-abortion and anti-government views, and that his acts were "definitely politically motivated".

Dear is alleged to have made statements about President Barack Obama during the events surrounding the shooting; this attracted attention from the U.S. Secret Service, who dispatched agents to evaluate the remarks and interview him.

Appearing before a judge on November 30, Dear was charged with murder in the first-degree, and was ordered to be held without bond. If convicted, Dear could face either life in prison or the death penalty. He was appointed a public defender. At the request of prosecutors, the judge ordered the sealing of court documents related to the investigation.

Reaction

Vicki Cowart, President of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains decried the incident as a form of domestic terrorism. While the shooting was still active, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger demanded that Cowart apologize if the perpetrator was not anti-abortion.

Attorney General of the United States Loretta Lynch called the shooting "...not only a crime against the Colorado Springs community, but a crime against women receiving healthcare services at Planned Parenthood, law enforcement seeking to protect and serve, and other innocent people". President of the United States Barack Obama released a statement on November 28, 2015 that stressed stricter gun control legislation.

Some U.S. politicians and activist groups have described the shooting as domestic terrorism. Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said it "certainly appears" the shooting and standoff was an act of domestic terrorism. In a statement following the incident, the Texas pro-choice organization NARAL Pro-Choice, referred to the shooting as "domestic terrorism". Colorado governor John Hickenlooper said the shooting, which he described as "a form of terrorism" and other violent incidents. may be the result of the "inflammatory rhetoric we see on all levels", referring to heated debate over abortion in the U.S.

Vicki Saporta, president of the National Abortion Federation drew particular attention to the undercover Planned Parenthood videos, two of which were shot at a clinic in Denver, 75 miles north of Colorado Springs; these videos resulted in a number of threats against one doctor featured in the videos.

See also

References

  1. ^ Bever, Lindsey; Chokshi, Niraj; Somashekhar, Sandhya (November 27, 2015). "Three dead, 9 injured following shootout at Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs". Washington Post. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  2. ^ "For Robert Dear, Religion and Rage Before Planned Parenthood Attack". The New York Times. December 2, 2015 – via New York Times.
  3. ^ Turkewitz, Julie; Healy, Jack (November 27, 2015). "3 Are Dead in Colorado Springs Shootout at Planned Parenthood Center". The New York Times. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  4. "Death of UCCS police officer in Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting confirmed". Colorado Springs Gazette. November 28, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  5. ^ Shoichet, Catherine E.; Stapleton, AnneClaire; Botelho, Greg (November 27, 2015). "Colorado Planned Parenthood shooting: 3 dead, suspect captured (updated)". CNN. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  6. ^ Paul, Jesse; Steffen, Jordan; Ingold, John (November 27, 2015). "Planned Parenthood shooting: 3 killed, including 1 police officer in Colorado Springs". The Denver Post. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  7. ^ Ford, Matt (November 27, 2015). "A Planned Parenthood Clinic Shooting in Colorado". The Atlantic. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  8. Turkewitz, Julie; Mueller, Benjamin (November 28, 2015). "In Colorado, Bustling With Shoppers, Then Gripped by Chaos". The New York Times. Retrieved December 3, 2015.
  9. Healy, Jack; Eckholm, Erik (November 28, 2015). "Siege Highlights Security Used in Abortion Clinics". The New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  10. ^ "Cop, 2 civilians killed in abortion clinic shooting". MSN. Reuters. November 27, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  11. Hughes, Trevor; Stanglin, Doug (November 27, 2015). "Gunman shoots 4 cops in Planned Parenthood clinic in Colo". USAToday. USA Today. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  12. Chan, Aleksander; Matthews, David; Wiener-Bronner, Danielle (November 27, 2015). "Multiple officers reported injured in shooting near Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood". fusion.net. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  13. "Colorado Springs shooting: Police officers injured". BBC News. November 27, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  14. Gray, Jeremy (November 27, 2015). "Who is Robert Lewis Dear? Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting suspect identified". AL.com. Alabama Media Group. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  15. ^ Castillejo, Esther (November 27, 2015). "4 Officers Shot Near Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood". ABC News. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  16. Hopkins, Christopher Dean; Wagner, Laura (November 27, 2015). "3 Dead, Suspect Held In Shootings At Colorado Planned Parenthood". National Public Radio. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  17. Victor, Daniel; Healy, Jack (November 27, 2015). "Garrett Swasey, Officer Killed in Colorado, Is Recalled for Courage and Faith". New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  18. "Iraq War Veteran Identified as Victim in Planned Parenthood Shooting". KKTV 11 News. November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  19. Paul, Jesse (November 29, 2015). "Mother of two is ID'd as one of three people killed in Planned Parenthood shootings". The Denver Post. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  20. Coffman, Keith (November 27, 2015). "Three killed, nine injured in attack on Colorado abortion clinic". Yahoo! News. Reuters. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  21. ^ Turkewitz, Julie; Fausset, Richard; Blinder, Alan; Mueller, Benjamin (November 28, 2015). "Robert Dear, Suspect in Colorado Killings, 'Preferred to Be Left Alone'". The New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  22. Wan, William; Sullivan, Kevin; Jordan, Mary (November 28, 2015). "Alleged Colorado gunman was adrift and alienated". Washington Post. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  23. "Planned Parenthood Shooting Suspect Robert Dear Targeted Agency Before: Ex-Wife". NBC News.
  24. ^ "For Robert Dear, Religion and Rage before Planned Parenthood Attack". The New York Times.
  25. ^ Brumfield, Ben; Brown, Pamela; Simon, Dan (November 29, 2015). "Source: Colorado shooting suspect spoke of 'baby parts'". CNN. Retrieved December 1, 2015.
  26. ^ Mark Berman. "Planned Parenthood shooting suspect to make first court appearance". Washington Post.
  27. "Joint Investigation Media Release". Colorado Springs Police Department. Facebook. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  28. "Colorado shooting suspect said 'no more baby parts': reports". Reuters.
  29. "Planned Parenthood shooting: Suspect said 'no more baby parts'". BBC News.
  30. Wesley Lowery (November 28, 2015). "'No more baby parts,' suspect in attack at Colo. Planned Parenthood clinic told official". Washington Post.
  31. "Planned Parenthood Shooting Suspect Robert Dear Appears in Court Wearing 'Suicide Prevention Garment'". ABC News. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  32. "Planned Parenthood Shooting Suspect Robert Dear Appears in Court". ABC News. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  33. "Suspect in Colorado clinic attack will face murder charges". Miami Herald. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  34. "Colorado Planned Parenthood shooting: 3 dead, suspect captured". CNN. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  35. "Republican Congressman Demanded Apology From Planned Parenthood During Active Shooting". Fox News. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  36. "Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Statement on Yesterday's Attack in Colorado". justice.gov.
  37. "Attorney general: Planned Parenthood shooting a 'crime against women'". CNN. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  38. "Obama Says 'Enough Is Enough' After Colorado Shooting". The New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  39. "Planned Parenthood Standoff 'Appears' to Be Domestic Terrorism, Colorado Springs Mayor Says". ABC News. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  40. "Texas abortion providers, rights groups condemn Colorado shooting". Dallas News. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  41. "Colorado Springs shootings: Calls to cool abortion debate". BBC. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  42. "Abortion rights groups: Political rhetoric contributed to shooting". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
Categories: