Crisis Unfolds: Tragedy Strikes Custer County, Leaving 3 Dead, 1 Critical, Suspect at Large"

Three people are dead, one is in critical condition, and a suspect is on the run following a shooting in Custer County on Monday.

Multiple agencies, including the Fremont and Pueblo County SWAT teams, responded to the scene at 173 Rocky Ridge Road, just northeast of Westcliffe, on Monday afternoon. The Custer County Sheriff's Office released in a Facebook post that the incident is thought to have started as a neighbor dispute, which led to shots being fired just before 1 p.m. The shooting took place on the property line in a wooded area and began with “a suspected property dispute,” the Sheriff's Office said.

Westcliffe is a little more than an hour southwest of Colorado Springs.

The CCSO said that two men and one woman are dead following the dispute. Each was shot multiple times, The Gazette news partner KOAA reported. Another woman, who was also shot several times, was taken to the hospital in critical condition, the CCSO said.

The Sheriff’s Office says the four individuals were found near each other, close to the property line, in a wooded area. The names of the victims have not yet been released.

The Sheriff's Office issued a shelter-in-place around 2:20 p.m. for the area around Rocky Ridge Road but has since given an "all-clear" following the shooting at around 8:10 p.m.

The suspect in the incident has been identified as 45-year-old Hanme K. Clark. Clark was last seen driving a white Ram 1500 pickup with a topper with the Colorado license plate BHLK27, the CCSO said.

Residents of the wooded, rural area were told to shelter in place for five hours on Monday as authorities hunted for the man, but the order was lifted Monday night while he remained at large, the Associated Press reported. The Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office said in a social media post early Tuesday that it is searching for the man and that residents should shelter in place in the southeastern part of the county, about 40 miles northwest of where the shooting occurred. The affected area is south of U.S. Route 50, from the Freemont County line to Poncha Springs.

Recommendations for Community Healing and Safety:

Community Support Services:

Establish a local support network to provide counseling and mental health services for residents affected by this traumatic event.

Collaborate with local organizations and mental health professionals to offer counseling sessions, group therapy, and resources for coping with grief.

Enhanced Security Measures:

Work closely with law enforcement agencies to assess and implement additional security measures, especially in areas prone to property disputes.

Consider community-led initiatives, such as neighborhood watch programs, to enhance vigilance and promote a sense of collective security.

Community Awareness Campaigns:

Launch community-wide awareness campaigns focused on conflict resolution and fostering open communication among neighbors.

Educate residents about available resources for dispute mediation to prevent conflicts from escalating into violent situations.

Emergency response preparedness:

Conduct community-wide emergency response drills to ensure residents are well-prepared for various crises.

Distribute information on emergency response protocols, including shelter-in-place procedures and communication channels with law enforcement.

Improved communication channels:

Enhance communication between law enforcement and the community through regular updates on ongoing investigations and safety measures.

Implement community forums or town hall meetings to address concerns, answer questions, and build a transparent relationship between residents and authorities.

Neighborhood Watch Programs:

Encourage the establishment of neighborhood watch programs where residents collaborate to monitor and report suspicious activities.

Provide training sessions on recognizing potential signs of conflict and how to safely report concerns to law enforcement.

Educational Initiatives:

Develop and implement educational programs in schools and community centers that emphasize conflict resolution, empathy, and understanding.

Foster a culture of tolerance and respect for differences to prevent disputes from escalating into violence.

Collaboration with Local Authorities:

Foster collaboration between community leaders and law enforcement agencies to address specific concerns and implement tailored safety measures.

Establish regular meetings or forums where community members can voice their concerns and work collectively on solutions.

Media Engagement:

Engage with local media to disseminate information about ongoing safety measures, community initiatives, and updates on the search for the suspect.

Use media platforms to reinforce messages of unity, support, and community resilience.

Long-Term Community Building:

Work towards long-term community-building initiatives that strengthen social bonds and promote a sense of belonging.

Encourage community events and activities that bring residents together in positive, inclusive environments.

These recommendations aim to foster healing, enhance community safety, and prevent future incidents by creating a supportive and informed environment. Community leaders, law enforcement, and residents can collaborate to implement these measures and build a resilient community.