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Who Is The Planned Parenthood Shooter?

by April Siese

Update: Around 5 p.m. local time Friday, a gunman who opened fire at a Planned Parenthood center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, was arrested and taken into police custody alive, according to Mayor John Suthers. Late Friday evening, a law enforcement source told CNN the gunman was 57-year-old Robert Lewis Dear. At least 11 people were taken to hospitals for treatment, including five officers, authorities said. The Colorado Springs Police Department has confirmed that three victims, one Colorado Springs police officer and two civilians, have died.

Earlier: An active shooter has been reported at a Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs. According to The Denver Post, police and firefighters are currently responding to the scene. Officials say that the location has yet to be secure and little is known about the shooter. Local reports from The Colorado Springs Gazette state that at least four people have been injured, one of whom was shot at nearby Elite Vision. The unknown suspect has already damaged a police vehicle by shooting out its back windshield. Four officers have been reportedly shot and the area is reportedly currently on lockdown, including at nearby shops, a grocery store and a VA clinic, among many other businesses. A SWAT team and the ATF has also been deployed.

The Colorado Springs Police Department is reportedly not seeking the help of the FBI at this juncture. The identity of the shooter has yet to be announced and Lt. Catherine Buckley has repeatedly stressed that officers have yet to confirm his identity. Very little has been reported regarding a description of the suspect, though the gunman is reportedly a man who was wearing a hunting hat and long jacket. Speaking at a brief press conference, Buckley said that authorities have yet to confirm how many civilians have been injured. It's unclear the extent of the injuries of the four officers as well. Though the suspect had reportedly previously been contained, he is no longer and is currently being sought by law enforcement. When asked if there was another shooter, Buckley had this to say:

We always plan and train for that and we don't know if there is just one or two but we are addressing it.

Authorities have stressed that this is still considered an active shooter situation and shots have reportedly been fired in the vicinity of Planned Parenthood. Penrose Main hospital is currently treating patients affected by the shooting. The ER has been placed on lock down. Officers are still attempting to make contact with the shooter, who reportedly left items in front of and inside the Planned Parenthood facility. Following the containment of the suspect, Buckley says that the items in question will be thoroughly investigated.