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The admitted gunman in an attack on the Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood in 2015 died in a federal facility over the weekend. Robert Dear was 67 years old.
By: Aidan Hulting Posted and last updated
SPRINGFIELD, Missouri. (KOAA) — The man who admitted to shooting and killing three people in the 2015 Planned Parenthood mass shooting in Colorado Springs has died. An inmate records request shows that Robert L. Dear, 67, died in federal custody on November 22, where he was being held at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (MCFP) in Springfield, Missouri. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, the preliminary cause of death appears to be related to natural causes. They sent News5 the following statement regarding Dear's death:
We can confirm Robert L. Dear passed away on November 22, 2025, at the United States Medical Center for Federal Prisoners (USMCFP) Springfield, located in Springfield, Missouri. Federal Bureau of Prisons Spokesperson The Fourth Judicial District Attorney's Office released the following statement regarding Dear's death: The man charged in the deadly shooting at a Planned Parenthood center in Colorado Springs in 2015, has died. The defendant, Robert Dear, was being prosecuted jointly by the U.S. Department of Justice and the 4th Judicial District Attorney’s Office. pic.twitter.com/fc2gxWDGIl — 4th Judicial DA (@4thJudicialDA) November 25, 2025 November 27 would mark ten years since the tragedy that killed three people and injured nine others. Dear had yet to make a plea, as his mental competency has been called into question for the last decade. He admitted to the shooting during a 2015 court hearing, saying, "I'm guilty, there's no trial!" Dear was in federal custody awaiting medical restoration to competency following years of trials in both federal and state courts. Those killed were UCCS Police Officer Garrett Swasey, KeArre M. Stewart, and Jennifer Markovsky. Colorado's 2024 changes to competency laws in criminal cases have created a contentious debate between ensuring defendants' rights and protecting public safety, with lawmakers expected to revisit the issue next year. The changes now require judges to dismiss charges against suspects who are found incompetent and not restorable to stand trial. Previously, judges had more discretion in these cases. The legal wording shifted from "may dismiss" to "shall dismiss," meaning judges must dismiss charges rather than having the option to do so. Since the law took effect, Colorado has seen several cases where defendants were found incompetent and charges were dropped. While some of those individuals went to the state's mental hospital, others were released back into the public. This change has drawn criticism from crime victims and family members, including Rachel Swasey, widow of University of Colorado Colorado Springs officer Garrett Swasey, who died in the Planned Parenthood shooting. In a statement to News5 Swasey said the following: "We are taking time to honor Garrett's memory, bravery, and sacrifice at this 10-year mark of the end of his watch and to thank those who bravely protect our community. Our family is thankful for the community who has cared for us and still remembers Garrett’s life and service. Based on our experience over the past decade, we call on Governor Polis and our legislators to work urgently to change the Colorado laws regarding competency. These laws continue to victimize our family and families across all communities in Colorado. It is evident by other cases that have appeared in the media that the competency laws and process in our state are broken and in dire need of change. We understand that there is a delicate balance between criminal behavior and competency determinations. Unfortunately, there are far too many examples where criminals who have committed violent crimes are released by the Courts and the victims received no justice and see the offender receive no accountability for their crimes. And, sadly, those criminals repeatedly commit crimes and leave more victims in their wake because the criminal justice system is stymied by the laws that have been put in place within the last decade. We ask that our governor and legislators take this issue seriously and make this issue a top priority. This is the only way we can ensure that our communities are safe and victims and families can heal." Rachel Swasey Last month, crime victims and family members of victims met with Governor Jared Polis to discuss the state's competency law. Polis told them he will demand the legislature fix the law when lawmakers return to session in January. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information is released. ___
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