A heavily armed gunman entered a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Friday and killed at least three people, including a police officer.
After a standoff that included multiple exchanges of gunfire with authorities over the course of five-plus hours, the unidentified suspect was taken into custody around 5 p.m. local time.
At least 11 people, including five police officers, were transported to local hospitals after sustaining injuries from the incident.
In addition, authorities were investigating “items” that the suspect is believed to have carried into the Planned Parenthood building, according to according to spokesperson Lt. Catherine Buckley.
Buckley would not or could not say if those items are explosives, though she acknowledged to a reporter that one possibility they are investigating is whether or not propane tanks are counted among the items in question.
USA Today had reported that police have described as “bearded, stocky, wearing a trench coat and armed with an AK-style weapon.”
Over the course of the afternoon, officers were able to sneak into the building and rescue six or seven civilians from a bathroom.
The original “shots fired” call came in at 11:38 a.m. local time. Local police said the address of the original 911 call came from the local Planned Parenthood office, located at 3480 Centennial Blvd.
One police officer was shot in the hand, law enforcement authorities told KKTV. In addition, several civilians were injured after the gunman walked into the clinic.
“At this time, our concern is for the safety of our patients, staff, and law enforcement,” Vicki Cowart, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, said in a statement. “This is a developing situation and we will continue to share updates as we have them.”
CSPD PIO responding to call if active shooter in Centennial Bl. The area is NOT secure. Media do not stage in area!
— Springs Police (@CSPDPIO) November 27, 2015
AVOID Centennial and Fillmore active shooter scene is not secure. Shopping Center shelter in place. — Springs Police (@CSPDPIO) November 27, 2015
Centennial closed from Garden of Gods to Fillmore both directions. Avoid area
— Springs Police (@CSPDPIO) November 27, 2015