Robert Lewis Dear, the alleged gunman who shot and killed three people at a Colorado Springs Planned Parenthood clinic, yelled during a court appearance about “babies.”
Dear said he’s a “warrior for the babies” on Wednesday, adding that he’s guilty in the Nov. 27 shooting that left two civilians and a police officer dead, AP reported.
Nine people were wounded in the shooting, including five police officers. When he was arrested, investigators said police heard him say, “No more baby parts.”
Dear appeared in court on Wednesday for a hearing for prosecutors to announce the charges against him. There, he made the comments, including a direct statement: “I am guilty. There will be no trial.”
“You'll never know the amount of blood I saw in that place,” he added, reported CBS, which has journalists in the courtroom.
He made the outburst as lawyers were discussing a motion to allow a camera in the courtroom, CBS4 in Denver reported.
Prosecutors said they'll be filing 179 charges against the 57-year-old, and he could face the death penalty.
Dear appeared with public defender Dan King, who was one of the attorneys who represented James Holmes, the man who shot up an Aurora, Colorado theater several years ago.
The Denver Post reported that Dear interrupted King several times as he was trying to speak with the judge.
“Protect the babies!” he shouted. “I will not meet with him again,” Dear also stated, apparently referring to King.
University of Colorado at Colorado Springs police Officer Garrett Swasey was shot and killed while responding to the incident. Ke'Arre Stewart, a 29-year-old Iraq war veteran, and mother of two Jennifer Markovsky, 35, also were killed. They were at the clinic to accompany friends.
When prosecutors file formal charges against him, a preliminary hearing will be set, and that will likely be followed by an arraignment.
In the arraignment, which is likely several months away, Dear will enter his plea.
