Man Arrested for Fatal Shooting in Custer County Dispute

Accident – Death – Obituary News : DENVER (KDVR) — A 45-year-old man, identified as Hanme K. Clark, has been arrested in connection with a shooting that took place in Custer County, south of Colorado Springs. The incident resulted in the deaths of three individuals and left another critically injured. Clark was apprehended by the New Mexico State Police while driving a white truck that authorities had been searching for. A female was also found in the vehicle with him.

The shooting occurred on Monday afternoon, prompting a shelter-in-place order for the residents of Rocky Ridge Road in Westcliffe. The small rural community, with a population of only 435 people, was left in shock by the violent incident. According to court records, Clark had a history of harassing his neighbors, denying them access to their property, and posting signs indicating that he was armed.

The motive behind the shooting appears to be a dispute over easement lines between Clark and his neighbors. The incident unfolded when a surveyor was working on a property near Clark’s owned by Rob Geers. Clark approached the surveyor, shouting about trespassing, and then opened fire. Fortunately, the surveyor managed to escape and seek help at a nearby residence.

The victims of the shooting have been identified as 63-year-old Rob Geers, his wife 73-year-old Beth Wade, and 58-year-old James Daulton. Another female victim remains in critical condition. It is believed that Clark knew at least one of the victims, as Geers had previously accused him of trespassing on his land multiple times. Geers had even captured an image of Clark dressed in hunting gear and carrying a rifle on his property, which he provided as evidence to the authorities.

Following Clark’s arrest, the Custer County Sheriff’s Office released photos of the suspect being taken into custody. They thanked the New Mexico State Police and the U.S. Marshals Service for their assistance in apprehending Clark. The investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and it is not yet known if Clark has retained legal representation.

Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith provided a timeline of the events during a press conference. He explained that deputies arrived at the scene 22 minutes after receiving the 911 call due to the remote location of the incident. The wooded area along a gravel road made it challenging for law enforcement to reach the site quickly. The search for Clark lasted until 8 p.m., with various agencies assisting in the operation. Once the area was deemed safe, the shelter-in-place order was lifted.

The crime scene was held overnight to enable investigators to examine it in daylight. The sheriff emphasized that Clark is believed to have fled the area before the arrival of the first deputies. The investigation will continue to shed light on the circumstances leading up to the tragic shooting.

The local community is grappling with the shock and grief caused by the incident. Westcliffe, located in a picturesque valley between mountain ranges, is home to farms, ranches, and vacation properties. The shooting has undoubtedly shaken the tight-knit community, which now seeks answers and justice for the victims.

This article was written with additional information from The Associated Press..