Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood shooting suspect Robert Dear dies in federal custody

DENVER (KKTV) - Robert Dear, the suspect accused of a mass shooting at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic in 2015, has died in custody.

According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons inmate database, Dear is listed as deceased.

A spokesperson for the Federal Bureau of Prisons confirmed that Dear died Saturday at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (USMCFP) Springfield, in Missouri.

Dear, 67, is accused of driving to the Planned Parenthood on Centennial Boulevard in Colorado Springs on Nov. 27, 2015, and shooting at those parked next to his truck, then forcing his way into the clinic. For the next five hours, Dear is accused of trading fire with police while he allegedly barricaded himself inside the building.

Three people, including a UCCS police officer, were killed, and nine others, including four law enforcement officers, were injured in the shooting. Thursday marks 10 years since the shooting.

Dear had been going through years of mental health evaluations and competency hearings, the latest of which took place earlier this year, when his trial was delayed again.

According to a news release from the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office, they are beginning the process of dismissing the case in state court, pending the receipt of Dear’s official death certificate. Dear was being prosecuted jointly in state and federal cases by both the 4th Judicial DA’s Office and the U.S. Department of Justice.

“UCCS Police Officer Garrett Swasey ran towards danger, in service to his community, and he was tragically killed in the line of duty. His heroic response to deadly violence will not soon be forgotten and his selfless sacrifice will be remembered forever. The lives of Ke’Arre M. Stewart and Jennifer Markovsky were also tragically taken by the defendant,” District Attorney Michael J. Allen said. “All three victims, and this community, deserved the full measure of justice in this case but they are now denied that possibility. Their family members and loved ones have endured this horror for far too long. The same is true for the five additional Colorado Springs Police Officers and the four civilians who were injured during this evil attack.”

“We know there is no outcome we could provide that would ease the pain of family members who have lost a loved one, or that would comfort any of the victims who survived the shooting,” Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez said. “We continue to remember Ke’Arre M. Stewart, Jennifer Markovsky, and UCCS Officer Garrett Swasey, who lost their lives that day. There were also nine other community members, including five officers, who were injured, and now live with the memory of that tragedy. I am grateful for the reminder, however, of the heroism of our first responders and their willingness to run towards danger when our community is threatened. We will continue to stand with victims and their families as they navigate this news and seek to find closure.”

A spokesperson for Governor Jared Polis provided the following statement on Dear’s passing:

“This was a horrible and tragic shooting that caused immeasurable pain and suffering. Governor Polis’s thoughts and prayers are with the families of those taken in this tragic attack, who are surely dealing with the difficult memories from 10 years ago. No one in Colorado should be scared of senseless gun violence while going to school, worshiping, shopping for groceries, or getting the health care you need. He hopes that the passing of Robert Dear can be a form of closure for those in pain who lost loved ones.”