Robert Dear, Suspect in 2015 Colorado Planned Parenthood Shooting, Dies in Federal Custody

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Robert Dear, the suspect charged in the 2015 Colorado Planned Parenthood shooting, died in federal custody at age 67, officials said. Dear passed away from natural causes Saturday at a medical center for federal prisoners in Springfield, Missouri, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons.

Dear was charged in federal court in 2019 for the attack that left three people dead and several others injured at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. The Justice Department detailed that on Nov. 27, 2015, Dear traveled to the clinic with the intent to wage “war” because the clinic provided abortion services. He was armed with multiple firearms, including four SKS rifles, five handguns, two additional rifles, a shotgun, over 500 rounds of ammunition, and propane tanks.

According to the indictment, Dear first shot at people parked near his truck, killing one and seriously injuring two others. He then fired at three additional individuals outside the clinic, killing one and injuring another. After forcing his way into the clinic, Dear engaged in a standoff lasting approximately five hours with law enforcement and public safety officials from multiple agencies, including the Colorado Springs Police Department, El Paso County Sheriff’s Office, University of Colorado Colorado Springs Campus Police, and the Colorado Springs Fire Department. During the standoff, Dear shot at firefighters and officers, killing one officer and injuring four others.

Among those killed were Ke’Arre Stewart, a 29-year-old Army veteran and father of two; Jennifer Markovsky, 36, a mother of two from Oahu, Hawaii; and Garrett Swasey, a campus police officer who responded to the active shooter situation. Nine others sustained injuries in the attack.

Dear’s prosecution was delayed for years due to legal disputes over his mental competency. He was diagnosed with delusional disorder and was repeatedly found incompetent to stand trial. The legal battle included debates over whether he could be forcibly medicated to restore competency. Dear was most recently civilly committed under the Federal Bureau of Prisons, according to 4th Judicial District Attorney Michael J. Allen.

Dear’s death ends the prolonged legal proceedings related to the 2015 attack.