Active Shooter At Planned Parenthood In Colorado

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: A police-standoff broke out in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Friday after an active shooter was reported at the Planned Parenthood Colorado Springs facility. About two hours after the shooting broke out, the Associated Press reported that the shooter was contained. However, the AP later reported that the report was false, and authorities said the scene is still active.

The Colorado Springs Police Department tweeted in the early afternoon that a shooter was firing at passing cars, and that the area was not secure. Colorado Springs authorities also said a nearby shopping center was alerted to shelter in place. Authorities urged those in the area to avoid driving down the Centennial and Fillmore block, where the gunman has reportedly opened fire.

The Colorado Springs Fire Department confirmed on Twitter that an active shooter was at the Planned Parenthood facility, but did not give any further details. The clinic is located at 3480 Centennial Boulevard.

Although it was originally reported that the shooter was in the parking lot, KKTV News in Colorado Springs reported that the gunman holed up inside the Planned Parenthood facility. However, authorities have not yet confirmed that the gunman was inside the facility.

According to The Gazette, several police officers were down, and as many as four people may be wounded. Gazette reporter Stephen Hobbs reported that at least two patients have been wounded, and that at least three police officers were injured, according to the police commander. Several ambulances were called to the scene, and patients could be seen loaded into the vehicles.

Officers at the scene reportedly had their guns drawn toward the Planned Parenthood facility. Local news stations reported that fire trucks and a SWAT team were on the scene. Photos show SWAT team members patrolling the edge of the parking lot with their guns drawn. Fox 21 News in Colorado Springs also reported that a mobile command center has arrived at the scene.

It is unclear at this time if the shooting had a clear connection to Planned Parenthood. The Gazette reported that authorities said the initial 911 call came from Planned Parenthood, but they do not know if Planned Parenthood was a target.Vicki Cowart, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains, released this statement Friday:

At this time, our concern is for the safety of our patients, staff and law enforcement. This is a developing situation, and we’ll continue to share updates as we have them.