Planned Parenthood Shooter Dies Awaiting Trial

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Robert Lewis Dear Jr., the individual responsible for the fatal 2015 attack on a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic, has died while in federal custody. His death brings a complicated, decade-long legal saga to an end—a period marked by continuous delays due to mental competency evaluations that prevented justice from being served for the three innocent victims killed in his ideologically motivated assault.

Story Highlights

Dear died in federal custody while awaiting trial on 68 federal charges related to the 2015 Planned Parenthood shooting.
The case dragged on for nearly 10 years due to mental competency evaluations and federal bureaucracy.
Three innocent victims, including a police officer, were killed in Dear’s premeditated attack on the clinic.
Dear explicitly stated he was motivated by anti-abortion ideology, calling himself “a warrior for the babies”.

Federal Case Stalled for Years

Dear’s death in custody marks the end of a frustratingly prolonged legal saga that began with his November 27, 2015 attack on the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic. The federal government indicted Dear on 68 counts in December 2019, including violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act. However, the case remained stalled due to ongoing mental competency evaluations, highlighting how bureaucratic processes can prevent justice from being served.

Breaking News
Suspect in Colorado Planned Parenthood shooting dies in federal custody

Robert Dear was accused of killing 3 people in 2015 Colorado Springs attack

The suspect charged with killing three people at a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic in 2015 has died in federal… pic.twitter.com/eABtfQp2ET

— News News News (@NewsNew97351204) November 26, 2025

Premeditated Attack Claimed Three Lives

Dear’s assault was clearly premeditated, as evidenced by his asking for directions to the Planned Parenthood facility and the discovery of multiple propane tanks near his vehicle. The attack claimed the lives of University of Colorado Colorado Springs Police Officer Garrett Swasey, along with civilians Ke’Arre Stewart and Jennifer Markovsky. Nine others were wounded during the five-hour standoff that ended when SWAT teams deployed armored vehicles into the clinic lobby.

Mental Competency Claims Delayed Justice

The wheels of justice ground to a halt in May 2016 when a state court declared Dear mentally incompetent to face trial on state charges. This determination complicated prosecution efforts and allowed Dear to avoid accountability for years. Despite his clear statements of guilt and ideological motivation, the mental health system provided endless delays that prevented closure for victims’ families and the Colorado Springs community.

Ideologically Motivated Violence

Dear made no attempt to hide his anti-abortion motivation, telling investigators “No more baby parts” in reference to controversial 2015 undercover videos involving Planned Parenthood. He identified himself as “a warrior for the babies” and made statements affirming his guilt during court proceedings. This case demonstrated how radical ideology can drive individuals to commit acts of domestic terrorism against facilities and the innocent people who work there.

Dear’s death in federal custody brings a complicated end to a case that exposed significant weaknesses in our criminal justice system’s ability to handle mentally unstable defendants while ensuring timely justice for victims and their families.

Watch the report: Planned Parenthood shooting suspect Robert Dear dies in custody