Police Search for Suspect in Fatal Shooting over Property Dispute in Rural Colorado

By Melissa Alonso, CNN

(CNN) — Authorities are currently on the lookout for a suspect involved in a tragic shooting incident that resulted in the deaths of three individuals, while leaving another person injured in a rural area of southern Colorado. The incident, which appears to be rooted in a dispute over property lines, took place on Monday afternoon, according to Custer County Sheriff Lloyd “Rich” Smith.

At approximately 1 p.m. local time, a gunman opened fire on a group of five people, as revealed by Sheriff Smith during a press conference held on Monday night. Tragically, two men and a woman lost their lives, while another woman sustained multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. Thankfully, the injured woman is expected to survive the ordeal, Sheriff Smith added. The fifth individual managed to escape unharmed.

The suspect has been identified as 45-year-old Hanme K. Clarke, and law enforcement agencies are actively searching for him. Sheriff Smith mentioned that Clarke and at least one of the victims had been involved in previous civil disputes concerning property lines, although further details were not provided.

The shooting incident occurred in a wooded area within Custer County, a sparsely populated region with just over 5,000 residents. As authorities conducted an extensive search for the suspect using a drone and SWAT team, a shelter-in-place order was issued to residents in the area at 1:43 p.m. local time, ensuring their safety.

The authorities have reason to believe that Clarke may be travelling in a white Dodge Ram pickup truck. “We have received a very promising lead on the exact whereabouts of the suspect and the vehicle, and we are coordinating with another law enforcement agency to apprehend him,” stated Sheriff Smith during the press conference on Monday night.

This news story is currently developing and will be updated accordingly.