News

Officer Garrett Swasey Died During PP Shooting

by Melissah Yang

In a statement released by the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs, Officer Garrett Swasey was identified as being killed during a shooting at a Planned Parenthood center on Friday. A six-year veteran on the UCCS police force, he died at the age of 44. Update: A law enforcement source tells CNN the shooting suspect has been identified as Robert Lewis Dear.

UCCS Chancellor Pam Shockley Zalabak confirmed the sad news via a statement. "It is with great sadness that I share that the tragic events today at the offices of Planned Parenthood in Colorado Springs have touched the campus of the University of Colorado Colorado Springs," she said. According to the statement, Swasey was on duty at the campus, located roughly 10 miles away from the Planned Parenthood building, when he responded to the active scene in support of the Colorado Springs Police Department at 11:50 a.m. The first calls of the shooting were reported 20 minutes prior.

At least two other civilians have died, according to officials. Another five people and four officers were taken to nearby hospitals, and their injuries are expected to be non-life-threatening, according to the Washington Post. The gunman, who has yet to be identified by authorities, was arrested and taken into custody at around 5 p.m. local time after an hours-long standoff with police.

Our thoughts are with Swasey's family and loved ones.