He was taken into custody after an hours-long standoff with police and confessed to acting alone.
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Police say they’re prepared for the possibility of a second shooter, but couldn’t confirm that there were two shooters.
Police are still are trying to determine how many shooters there are, and say they are prepared for the possibility that there is more than one. The suspect is from North Carolina and it is unknown at this time what his motive is, despite the fact, that as late back as the 80s, people have targeted abortion clinics with acts of violence.
The university police department identified the officer killed as 44-year-old Garrett Swasey, a six-year veteran of the force. Video from The Denver Post showed a tall man in a white T-shirt being led away by police as snow fell on the frigid evening.
No other details about the gunman were immediately available, including whether he had any connection to Planned Parenthood.
“Some got out early throughout the afternoon, but those that didn’t were in a safe spot”, Cowart told CNN, adding that her initial information was that none of her staff or patients had been killed or injured.
“If you’re not able to contain the shooter, then what you’re going to do is try to contain the situation and try to keep it from getting worse”, said Retired CSPD Commander Skip Arms.
Joan Motolinia told the Associated Press that his sister, Jennifer, called him from the clinic.
Her daughter and the others were holed up there for hours while the standoff continued, Tina Garcia said.
Four other officers and five other civilians were wounded in the shooting, as well.
Buckley confirmed that the Planned Parenthood clinic was where the shooting began.
The immediate vicinity was placed on lockdown and people were told to stay indoors.
Denise Speller, who works at a salon, said she heard at least 10 gunshots and saw a police officer get hit.
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The Southern Poverty Law Center reported in October that Planned Parenthood clinics around the country had been subject to at least 4 firebombing attacks in just over two months. Lt. Buckley said, “We have brought all of our resources to bear”.
