His name crossed the media airwaves as an investigation remains underway. Prior to 11:45 a.m. on November 27, very few people knew who Robert Lewis Dear was. Then the first 911 call came in close to noon advising an armed man had walked into a Planned Parenthood facility in Colorado Springs. Rumors suggested Dear ran into the facility following a failed robbery at a nearby bank, that has not been confirmed by police. Once police rushed to the location Dear engaged in a shoot-out with police before barricading himself in the building.
Once the gunfire settled, and Dear surrendered without injury, police were left with the grim task of notifying the family of three people who were killed by the gunman. Two civilians, and one UCCS police officer, Garrett Swasey, died; nine others were injured. Swasey was at his University of Colorado-Colorado Springs post when he was alerted of the shooting, and rushed to the scene to offer support. He is survived by his wife, and two young children.
The University released a statement offering their sincerest condolences for the family of the six-year police veteran.
Dear has a previous arrest record in North and South Carolina. He has been convicted of many traffic offenses, but more serious offenses have surfaced. In 2002 he was charged with cruelty to animals, but was found not guilty and released. That same year he was charged for eavesdropping, and “peeping Tom,” but those charges were eventually dismissed.
Colorado Springs police are still collecting information on any previous mental issues. Officials state they are unable to confirm, at this time, if Dear acted under fundamentalist radicalism or what other motive could have driven him to the escalated violence, and homicide witnessed.
Many witnesses spoke to the media sharing the fear of realizing a man with an AK-47 was in their midst. Many went into hiding as Dear started shooting. Witnesses described Dear as strangely calm, wearing a hunter’s jacket and hat. Many reported he was mumbling unintelligibly as he randomly fired his weapon.
Five hours after the start of the shooting, Dear surrendered to officials. A police official stated they are confirming reports Dear stems from North Carolina, and his length of time in Colorado prior to the shooting.
Vicki Cowart, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains said they are waiting word from officials to determine if “Planned Parenthood was in fact the target of this attack.” No employees from the center were injured. Dear remains in custody at the El Paso County Jail. He is being held without bail, and will appear before a judge on Monday. Officials said Dear is cooperating with the investigation.