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Some U.S. politicians and activist groups have described the shooting as [[Domestic terrorism in the United States|domestic terrorism]]. Colorado Springs Mayor [[John Suthers]] said it "certainly appears" the shooting and standoff was an act of domestic terrorism.<ref>{{cite web |title=Planned Parenthood Standoff 'Appears' to Be Domestic Terrorism, Colorado Springs Mayor Says |url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/planned-parenthood-standoff-appears-domestic-terrorism-colorado-springs/story?id=35471366 |publisher=ABC News |accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref> In statements following the incident, one of the current Republican candidates for president, [[Mike Huckabee]], as well as the Texas pro-choice organization, [[NARAL|NARAL Pro-Choice]], referred to the shooting as "domestic terrorism".<ref>{{cite web |title=Huckabee: Planned Parenthood shooting is 'domestic terrorism' |url=http://www.kcci.com/politics/huckabee-planned-parenthood-shooting-is-domestic-terrorism/36704644 |publisher=KCCI Des Moines |accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Texas abortion providers, rights groups condemn Colorado shooting |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20151128-texas-abortion-providers-rights-groups-condemn-colorado-shooting.ece |work=Dallas News |accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado Springs shootings: Calls to cool abortion debate |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34958284 |publisher=BBC |accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref>
Some U.S. politicians and activist groups have described the shooting as [[Domestic terrorism in the United States|domestic terrorism]]. Colorado Springs Mayor [[John Suthers]] said it "certainly appears" the shooting and standoff was an act of domestic terrorism.<ref>{{cite web |title=Planned Parenthood Standoff 'Appears' to Be Domestic Terrorism, Colorado Springs Mayor Says |url=http://abcnews.go.com/US/planned-parenthood-standoff-appears-domestic-terrorism-colorado-springs/story?id=35471366 |publisher=ABC News |accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref> In statements following the incident, one of the current Republican candidates for president, [[Mike Huckabee]], as well as the Texas pro-choice organization, [[NARAL|NARAL Pro-Choice]], referred to the shooting as "domestic terrorism".<ref>{{cite web |title=Huckabee: Planned Parenthood shooting is 'domestic terrorism' |url=http://www.kcci.com/politics/huckabee-planned-parenthood-shooting-is-domestic-terrorism/36704644 |publisher=KCCI Des Moines |accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Texas abortion providers, rights groups condemn Colorado shooting |url=http://www.dallasnews.com/news/metro/20151128-texas-abortion-providers-rights-groups-condemn-colorado-shooting.ece |work=Dallas News |accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Colorado Springs shootings: Calls to cool abortion debate |url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-34958284 |publisher=BBC |accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref>

[[Ted Cruz]] said he believed it was possible Robert Louis Dear is a "transgendered leftist activist". Dear is not transgender. <ref name="cruz">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/politics/first-draft/2015/11/30/ted-cruz-defends-conservative-criticisms-of-planned-parenthood-after-shooting-at-clinic/|title=Ted Cruz Defends Conservative Criticisms of Planned Parenthood After Shooting at Clinic}}</ref>


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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Abortion rights groups: Political rhetoric contributed to shooting |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/abortion-rights-groups-political-rhetoric-contributed-to-shooting/2015/11/29/d2fad2c4-96c7-11e5-8917-653b65c809eb_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_abortion-300pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory |publisher=The Washington Post |accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web |title=Abortion rights groups: Political rhetoric contributed to shooting |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/abortion-rights-groups-political-rhetoric-contributed-to-shooting/2015/11/29/d2fad2c4-96c7-11e5-8917-653b65c809eb_story.html?hpid=hp_hp-top-table-main_abortion-300pm%3Ahomepage%2Fstory |publisher=The Washington Post |accessdate=29 November 2015}}</ref>

Revision as of 07:07, 30 November 2015

This article is about the Colorado Springs shootings on November 27. For the October 31 shooting, see List of shootings in Colorado.
2015 Colorado Springs shooting
LocationColorado Springs, Colorado
DateNovember 27, 2015 (2015-11-27)
c. 11:38 a.m. – 4:52 p.m. (MST)
TargetPlanned Parenthood clinic
Attack type
Shooting
WeaponsFirearm
Deaths3[1]
Injured9[1]
MotiveUnknown

On November 27, 2015, a shooting and five-hour standoff with police occurred at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado.[2] A police officer and two civilians were killed. Five officers and four civilians were injured.[3][4] The suspected shooter, identified as Robert Lewis Dear, was captured alive after police convinced him to surrender.[5][2] The incident drew comments from anti-abortion and abortion-rights movements.

Shooting

Law enforcement responded to a report of an active shooter at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic at approximately 11:38 a.m. MST.[6] According to the Colorado Springs Police Department, the gunman first opened fire outside or near the clinic before moving inside. Staff inside the clinic moved people out of the waiting room, and locked a security door.[7] As responding officers approached the building, the suspect fired at them, hitting several. A five-hour standoff then ensued.[6][8] Initial reports described the gunman as "wearing hunting gear and armed with a long gun".[9]

At the time of the incident, twenty gunshots were reportedly fired within five minutes.[10][11] Police swarmed the area, and nearby stores were put on lockdown.[2][4]

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.[1][6] Following apprehension of the suspect, law enforcement began searching the building, as well as the suspect's car, for possible explosives.[8] The suspected gunman was later identified as Robert Lewis Dear, a 57-year-old man[5] from North Carolina.[12] According to an unnamed senior law enforcement official, Dear gave a "rambling" interview after his arrest[13] in which at one point he said, "No more baby parts",[14] widely seen as a reference to the Planned Parenthood 2015 undercover videos controversy.[15][16][17][18][19] The official added that Dear "said a lot of things" in that interview, and authorities could not clearly identify a specific motivation.[13]

Victims

Officer Garrett Swasey, 44, was a married father of two young children. Before joining the University of Colorado - Colorado Springs police force, he was a nationally ranked junior figure skater and ice dancer.[20] Ke'Arre M. Stewart, an Iraq War veteran, was married with a child.[21] Jennifer Markovsky was the mother of a son and daughter.[22] Nine other victims, comprising five police officers and four civilians, were also reportedly shot. They were admitted to local area hospitals and listed in good condition.[1][23][24]

Suspect

Robert Lewis Dear Jr., 57 at the time of his arrest, was born in South Carolina and spent most of his life in the Carolinas before moving to Hartsel, Colorado in 2014, where he lived in a travel trailer. Working as an independent art dealer, he lived in a succession of trailers and cabins before moving to Colorado.[25][26]

Aftermath

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were called on to assist in the investigation and President Barack Obama was briefed on the incident.[8][23] As a precautionary response to the shooting, additional law enforcement were assigned to Planned Parenthood clinics in New York City and Denver.[27]

Reactions

Vicki Cowart, President of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains decried the incident as a form of domestic terrorism while assuring that Planned Parenthood would continue in "providing care in a safe, supportive environment that millions of people rely on and trust."[28] While the shooting was still active, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger demanded that Cowart apologize if the perpetrator wasn't anti-abortion.[29]

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."[30][31] President of the United States Barack Obama released a statement on November 28, 2015 that stressed stricter gun control legislation.[32]

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.[33] In statements following the incident, one of the current Republican candidates for president, Mike Huckabee, as well as the Texas pro-choice organization, NARAL Pro-Choice, referred to the shooting as "domestic terrorism".[34][35] 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.[36]

Ted Cruz said he believed it was possible Robert Louis Dear is a "transgendered leftist activist". Dear is not transgender. [37]

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.[38]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d 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. ^ a b c 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.
  3. ^ "Death of UCCS police officer in Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting confirmed". Colorado Springs Gazette. November 28, 2015. Retrieved November 28, 2015.
  4. ^ a b Shoichet, Catherine E.; Stapleton, AnneClaire; Botelho, Greg (November 27, 2015). "Colorado Planned Parenthood shooting: 3 dead, suspect captured (updated)". CNN. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  5. ^ a b 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.
  6. ^ a b c Ford, Matt (November 27, 2015). "A Planned Parenthood Clinic Shooting in Colorado". The Atlantic. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  7. ^ Healy, Jack; Eckholm, Erik (November 28, 2015). "Siege Highlights Security Used in Abortion Clinics". The New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c "Cop, 2 civilians killed in abortion clinic shooting". MSN. Reuters. November 27, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  9. ^ Hughes, Trevor; Stanglin, Doug (November 27, 2015). "Gunman shoots 4 cops in Planned Parenthood clinic in Colo". USAToday. USA Today. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ "Colorado Springs shooting: Police officers injured". BBC News. November 27, 2015. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ a b Turkewitz, Julie (2015-11-28). "Robert Dear, Suspect in Colorado Killings, 'Preferred to Be Left Alone'". New York Times. Retrieved 2015-11-29.
  14. ^ "Colorado shooting suspect said 'no more baby parts': reports". Reuters.
  15. ^ "Planned Parenthood shooting: Suspect said 'no more baby parts'". BBC News.
  16. ^ KRDO. "Hundreds protest outside Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic". KRDO.
  17. ^ Lance Hernandez, Marc Stewart. "Local Planned Parenthood denounces new video allegedly showing talk of selling fetal tissue". 7NEWS.
  18. ^ "Still A Red-Hot Topic, Abortion Debate Spotlight Shines On Colorado". cbslocal.com.
  19. ^ Wesley Lowery (November 28, 2015). "'No more baby parts,' suspect in attack at Colo. Planned Parenthood clinic told official". Washington Post.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ "Iraq War Veteran Identified as Victim in Planned Parenthood Shooting". KKTV 11 News. November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  22. ^ "Family Identifies Victim in Planned Parenthood Shooting". KKTV 11 News. November 29, 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  23. ^ a b Castillejo, Esther (November 27, 2015). "4 Officers Shot Near Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood". ABC News. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  24. ^ Coffman, Keith (November 27, 2015). "Three killed, nine injured in attack on Colorado abortion clinic". Yahoo! News. Reuters. Retrieved November 27, 2015.
  25. ^ Turkewitz, Julie (November 28, 2015). "Robert Dear, Suspect in Colorado Killings, 'Preferred to Be Left Alone". New York Times. Retrieved November 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ Wan, William (November 28, 2015). "Alleged Colorado gunman was adrift and alienated". Washington Post. Retrieved November 29, 2015. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  27. ^ 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.
  28. ^ "Colorado Planned Parenthood shooting: 3 dead, suspect captured". CNN. Retrieved November 29, 2015.
  29. ^ "Republican Congressman Demanded Apology From Planned Parenthood During Active Shooting". Fox News. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  30. ^ "Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch Statement on Yesterday's Attack in Colorado". justice.gov.
  31. ^ "Attorney general: Planned Parenthood shooting a 'crime against women'". CNN. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  32. ^ "Obama Says 'Enough Is Enough' After Colorado Shooting". The New York Times. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  33. ^ "Planned Parenthood Standoff 'Appears' to Be Domestic Terrorism, Colorado Springs Mayor Says". ABC News. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  34. ^ "Huckabee: Planned Parenthood shooting is 'domestic terrorism'". KCCI Des Moines. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  35. ^ "Texas abortion providers, rights groups condemn Colorado shooting". Dallas News. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  36. ^ "Colorado Springs shootings: Calls to cool abortion debate". BBC. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
  37. ^ "Ted Cruz Defends Conservative Criticisms of Planned Parenthood After Shooting at Clinic".
  38. ^ "Abortion rights groups: Political rhetoric contributed to shooting". The Washington Post. Retrieved 29 November 2015.
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