Colorado Springs: Gunman kills three people at Planned Parenthood clinic before being detained

A suspected gunman is in custody after he stormed the offices of a Planned Parenthood abortion clinic in Colorado and opened fire on people and police officers. One officer was killed and four were injured, while two civilians died. Up to six civilians were also shot and wounded before police persuaded the gunman to give himself up.

"It is with great sorrow that we must report that one of the officers shot today … has died," said the Colorado Fraternal Order of Police.

Police were still trying to determine the gunman’s identity, following his capture at the clinic in Colorado Springs, after a stand-off that lasted more than five hours.

“At this point, I have as many questions as you do,” Colorado Springs Police Chief Pete Carey said, after the man was detained.

Witnesses said the drama began when they heard multiple shots after seeing a man wearing a long coat and hunting-style hat, armed with a long gun enter the clinic at 11.30am. He carried some bags with him and police said they would need to check everything that had been in his possession to check there were no explosive devices among them.

Reports initially said the incident had been quickly contained. However, police then said the situation was still active and three hours after the incident began, police reported more shots were fired at them. A fourth officer was injured in that exchange. Police later said a fifth officer was injured.

“Four officers were injured. Some of the injured officers have been transported [to hospital],” said Lt Catherine Buckley of the Colorado Springs Police Department, as the drama played out.

“We have encountered one shooter, though we always train for the possibility there are more than one. The person is inside the Planned Parenthood office.”

Denise Speller, a witness, said: “We heard several gunshots and saw one of the officers go down. It was terrifying. The other officer got him into the car.”

A spokeswoman for Penrose-St. Francis Medical Centre in Colorado Springs confirmed the hospital received three patients from the shooting but the nature and extent of their injuries were not immediately provided. Local media later said that a fourth, fifth and sixth patient had been taken to two hospitals.

An official with Planned Parenthhood said their concern was for their "patients, staff and law enforcement".

"We don't yet know the full circumstances and motives behind this criminal action, and we don't yet know if Planned Parenthood was in fact the target of this attack," said Vicki Cowart, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.

"We share the concerns of many Americans that extremists are creating a poisonous environment that feeds domestic terrorism in this country. We will never back away from providing care in a safe, supportive environment that millions of people rely on and trust."

The police department said in a Twitter post that an initial call for assistance referred to a person firing a gun in the city’s northwest, on Centennial Boulevard, where the Planned Parenthood centre is located.

The facility provides abortions, screening for sexually transmitted diseases, pregnancy testing and other services, according to its website. It was not immediately clear whether the clinic was open for business at the time or whether it was a target of the shooting.

According to Reuters, abortion is a divisive issue in the politically competitive state of Colorado - as it is in many places in the US - figuring prominently in attack ads during last year's hard-fought Senate race between incumbent Democrat Mark Udall and Republican challenger Cory Gardner, the winner of the election

"We don't yet know the full circumstances and motives behind this criminal action," Vicki Cowart, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Rocky Mountains, said in a statement.

"We share the concerns of many Americans that extremists are creating a poisonous environment that feeds domestic terrorism in this country. We will never back away from providing care in a safe, supportive environment that millions of people rely on and trust."

President Barack Obama was notified of the shooting by his Homeland Security adviser, Lisa Monaco, and "will be updated on the situation as necessary", a White House official said.

“The area is NOT secure. Media do not stage in the area,” the police department said in its tweet.

Police ordered a lock-down and local businesses and shops were told to remain inside their buildings. At the same time, police directed more and more resources to the scene, including heavily armed Swat team members. One restaurant owner, Jim, said he had been forced to remain in his business with all his customers. He said ten police officers were also present.

Colorado Springs, about 70 miles south of Denver, was the scene of a mass shooting on October 31 in which a gunman killed three people near the city centre before dying in a shootout with police.

The city is home to the US Air Force Academy and the US Olympic training centre.