COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Robert Lewis Dear, the man accused of a 2015 shooting at a Planned Parenthood clinic that left three people dead, has died while in federal custody, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Reports indicate that Dear passed away on October 22 at a medical facility for federal inmates in Springfield, Missouri, with officials confirming that the cause of death was natural.
Details surrounding Dear’s legal troubles are complex. Following the attack on November 27, which resulted in the deaths of a University of Colorado Colorado Springs police officer and two civilians, Dear faced numerous charges, including murder and attempted murder. He was initially charged with 179 felonies but was later indicted on 68 counts in federal court. Despite being charged in 2019, he was deemed incompetent to stand trial multiple times.
Dear’s mental fitness for trial has been a point of contention. In a noteworthy ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit upheld a federal judge’s decision in 2022 to medicate him forcibly in an effort to restore his competency. However, his defense argued that such treatment could exacerbate his preexisting health issues.
In court proceedings, Dear controversially referred to himself as a “warrior for the babies,” asserting his anti-abortion beliefs. During a hearing, he reportedly declared, “I’m guilty. There’s no trial,” and reiterated his self-identified role as a protector of unborn children. This rhetoric painted a picture of a man deeply entrenched in vehement anti-abortion ideology.
The horrific events of the attack began when Dear opened fire outside the clinic before entering and continuing the assault. He remained inside the facility for an extended five hours, during which 27 individuals, including patients and healthcare workers, were present. Gunfire was directed not only at clinic staff but also at first responders. Tragically, the shooting claimed the life of Officer Garrett Swasey.
Dear was armed with multiple firearms, propane tanks, and an extensive cache of ammunition, further highlighting the premeditated nature of his assault. A psychological evaluation conducted in 2016 diagnosed him with paranoid delusional disorder, reinforcing earlier determinations of his incompetency. Despite being indicted, he was ruled unfit to face trial again in 2021.
Following Dear’s death, the Fourth Judicial District Attorney’s Office has announced plans to dismiss the pending criminal prosecution against him, effectively closing the case associated with one of the deadliest attacks on a reproductive health facility in U.S. history. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy, which has left a lasting impact on the fight for reproductive rights and public safety.