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Investigators Scour Planned Parenthood Attack Suspect's Property In Rural Park County

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4) - Nobody is saying why Robert Lewis Dear opened fire at the Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado Springs. His home in rural Park County has been cordoned off with police tape while investigators search for a motive.

Dear, 57, is being held in the El Paso County Jail without bail.

Planned Parenthood Attack
Planned Parenthood during the attack (credit: CBS)

Saturday evening there was still a massive presence as investigators comb over the entire Planned Parenthood campus. There's help from the federal and state government. On Saturday the Colorado Springs police chief said there will be a lengthy investigation lasting days and even weeks.

Suthers
Mayor John Suthers (credit: CBS)

Mayor John Suthers says he was with law enforcement officials when they were able to tap in to the Planned Parenthood clinic's security system and watch the suspect.

"We're also very thankful today for the incredible work of the first responders, particularly the SWAT teams," Suthers said.

Robert Lewis Dear
Robert L. Dear (credit: Colorado Springs Police)

Several top officials said if officers didn't act as quickly as they did many more lives would have been lost. But now the investigation continues with dozens of interviews.

"To do as thorough and complete investigation of this crime that we can, and there are a lot of moving parts," Colorado Springs Police Chief Peter Carey said.

Robert Lewis Dear's home
Robert Lewis Dear's property in Park County (credit: CBS)

Investigators were at the suspect's remote property about 60 miles west of the Planned Parenthood site. CBS News also says the suspect had a similar shanty in North Carolina. Neighbors there said the suspect was a loner who kept to himself.

INVESTIGATION LATEST 5PK5G
Robert Lewis Dear's property in North Carolina (credit: CBS)

The FBI has been a vital resource for the Colorado Springs police. On Saturday the U.S. attorney for Colorado said the federal government is very involved.

"A federal investigation will proceed, but our job first and foremost is to assist the state and the local authorities," he said.

Several neighbors in North Carolina did not want to talk to reporters for fear of retaliation from the suspect. Dear is due in court on Monday afternoon for a video arraignment.

Additional Resources

Officer Garrett Swasey Memorial Fund

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