Robert Lewis Dear, 57, is accused of opening fire at a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs, killing three people, including a police officer, and wounding nine others. People were trapped in the building for hours while a standoff between Dear and authorities ensued.
Here's what we know so far about the suspected gunman, Robert Lewis Dear.
1) Dear was reportedly charged with rape
The accused Planned Parenthood shooter was charged with rape in North Charleston more than 20 years ago, according to a report citing police documents. He was reportedly charged on Dec. 31, 1992, with first-degree criminal sexual conduct. There was no information on the resolution of the case.
2.) Dear kept to himelf most of the time
Neighbors said he spent time in a shack near Asheville, N.C., with no electricity or running water. Neighbors said that Dear mostly kept to himself, avoided eye contact and when he did speak to others, it was in a rambling way on a wide range of topics. A neighbor told the Associated Press that he never heard Dear discuss religion or abortion, while another neighbor said Dear once gave him a pamphlet opposing President Barack Obama.
3.) Except he was well known by local police
According to The Daily Beast, police records indicate that Dear was accused of a wide range of incidents in South Carolina, ranging from domestic violence to animal cruelty. Dear was reportedly arrested in 2002 on a peeping Tom charge, which was later dismissed, and was arrested in 2003 on an animal cruelty charge, for which Dear was found not guilty.
According to police records, Dear had a lengthy record of disputes with neighbors.
4.) Was there a motive?
The mayor of Colorado Springs says that while authorities aren't ready to discuss a possible motive, people can make "inferences from where it took place." According to The Associated Press, a law enforcement official says Dear made a comment about "no more baby parts" after his arrest.
5.) Presidential candidate Ted Cruz made headlines Monday by weighing in
Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz blasted critics and called Dear a "deranged individual" and "transgendered leftist activist." Cruz, citing reports from conservative websites, said that Dear is registered as an Independent and as a woman to vote in Colorado. Dear's voting information was published by numerous websites including therightscoop.com and thegatewaypundit.com. "Well, it's also been reported that he was registered as an Independent and as a woman and a transgendered leftist activist," Cruz said.
The Associated Press contibuted to this report.
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