Updates on the ongoing standoff at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood office:
Just before noon today, Colorado Springs officers responded to reports of a shooter near or at the Planned Parenthood offices on Centennial Boulevard. At least three officers were wounded by the gunman during an initial exchange of fire; their conditions are not known.
The gunman, reported to be a white man carrying a long gun, is still inside the Planned Parenthood building. There are an unknown number of civilian casualties.
Police have established a very large perimeter around the clinic, and employees and patrons of local businesses continue to "shelter in place". At least one additional officer was wounded after an exchange of gunfire about two and a half hours into the standoff. Police tactical vehicles have been ferrying some victims to waiting ambulances; a long line of ambulances continues to stand by.
There are no indications yet of the gunman's motives or whether the shooting began inside or outside the building. We'll continue to post updates as reliable information comes becomes available.
Friday, Nov 27, 2015 · 2:55:16 PM PST · Meteor Blades
Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood, the statewide affiliate, has issued this statement:
"We don't know yet 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," the agency said. "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."
Meteor Blades at 3:03:
Press conference coming momentarily at this site.
Friday, Nov 27, 2015 · 3:14:06 PM PST · Hunter
From police spokesperson Lt. Catherine Buckley, currently holding a press conference:
Police are 'in contact with' a suspect inside the building; this appears only to mean that he "has shot at our officers", but officers have not made "voice contact." Police teams have evacuated numerous people from within the Planned Parenthood building itself. The number of casualties remains unknown. An additional complication is that the suspect brought several "items" with him into the clinic and outside; those must be checked to verify they are not explosive devices.
Lt. Buckley clarifies that the shooting started at the Planned Parenthood building, not at nearby bank. Some victims from the Planned Parenthood building had originally fled to that bank.
Shelter in place continues for all nearby businesses, but "the situation is contained" within the Planned Parenthood building.