The hunt for Hanme K Clark: Shooting suspect at large after 3 people killed, 1 injured amid tense standoff in Custer County
WESTCLIFFE, COLORADO: An urgent manhunt is in progress for Hanme K Clark following a tragic shooting that claimed the lives of three individuals and left another critically injured just outside Westcliffe, Colorado.
The incident unfolded around 1 pm on Rocky Ridge Road, approximately 140 miles south of Denver, prompting a swift response from the Custer County Sheriff’s Office.
Victims confirmed, identities withheld in Cluster County shooting
Custer County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two men and one woman succumbed to their injuries from the shooting, while another woman is fighting for her life after being airlifted to Colorado Springs and subsequently to Denver with "multiple" gunshot wounds to the chest.
As of now, the victims' identities remain undisclosed. Law enforcement from various agencies, including the Custer, Pueblo, and Fremont County Sheriff Offices, along with the Colorado State Patrol, swiftly converged on the scene, terming it a "high-risk" situation.
A shelter-in-place order was issued around 1.30 pm, with officials stating, “Custer County Sheriff, Rich Smith, called for a shelter in place while they were searched for the suspect.”
The tension escalated further when, at 2.30 pm, the Pueblo County Sheriff’s SWAT team joined forces with the Custer County Sheriff’s Office to provide additional support. The shelter-in-place directive endured until approximately 8.15 pm.
A preliminary investigation suggests that a dispute over property on Rocky Ridge Road, possibly related to a "property line in the wooded area," may have sparked the deadly incident. This information was disclosed in a statement by the Custer County Government Public Information Office.
Who is Hanme K Clark?
The alleged perpetrator, Hanme K Clark, 45, remains at large. Clark is believed to be driving a White Ram 1500 pickup with a topper, bearing a Colorado license plate: BHLK27.
During a press briefing, the CCSO revealed that they engaged in a standoff with Clark for most of the day but, somehow, he managed to evade the heavy law enforcement presence in the area.
Clark is described as six feet three inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, according to an alert from Chaffee County. The alert also mentioned the possibility that Clark may be accompanied by a woman.
Notably, the suspect and at least one of the victims were known to have been embroiled in prior civil disputes over property lines and easements, CBS News reported.
Law enforcement authorities are urging anyone with information about Hanme K Clark's whereabouts to contact 911 immediately. Additionally, the public is advised not to approach Clark or the described vehicle if spotted. The manhunt continues as the community grapples with the aftermath of the tragedy.