Custer County Sheriff’s Office has taken in a suspect in connection to a rural Colorado shooting that left 3 people dead and 1 wounded during a property dispute.
On Tuesday, Hanme K. Clark, 45, of Westcliffe, Colorado, was arrested by New Mexico State Police and U.S. Marshals near Albuquerque, New Mexico.
During a press conference, Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith said a woman believed to be the suspect’s girlfriend was found in the vehicle at the time, and investigators are working to determine her involvement.
After a 25-hour manhunt that began on Monday, Clark surrendered peacefully to the police. Clark’s father also contacted the authorities and offered his assistance.
Clark was discovered on Tuesday in the same white Ram 1500 pickup truck from the day prior during the shooting.
Smith said, “We arrested Clark during a high risk felony traffic stop because he was a suspect of three first-degree murders. In this situation, suspects are typically ordered out of the car at gunpoint.”
The manhunt started on Monday after deputies received a report of shots being fired on Rocky Ridge Road at 12:59 p.m.
Members of the Fremont County Sheriff’s SWAT team arrived shortly after, and residents were asked to shelter in place while they searched for the suspect.
“4 Victims were shot, 3 deceased (2 male, 1 female), 1 female in a trauma center in critical condition, but is expected to survive,” Smith reported.
Rob Geers, 63; his wife, Beth Wade Geers, 73; and James Daulton, 58 were identified as the deceased.
The fourth victim, Patty Daulton, the wife of Daulton, survived and is improving at a trauma center where she is being treated for her injuries.
“The Daultons and the Geers owned property bordering the suspect’s,” the sheriff added. “This case has a long way to go before it can be presented to prosecutors.”
Smith praised his team and their partners for the amazing efforts they put into bringing the suspect into custody.
Smith also, steered away the focus on the suspect and decided to talk about healing the community after such a tragic even took place.
“I hope that this brings relief to the neighborhood and to the community, and more importantly, closure to the families of the victims and their friends,” he added.
Clark is awaiting extradition back to Colorado and the investigation remains ongoing.
