A Colorado man suspected of killing three people and seriously wounding another over a property line dispute has been apprehended in New Mexico. Hanme K. Clark, 45, was captured by the New Mexico State Police and U.S. Marshals near Albuquerque, according to Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith. Clark’s arrest took place without incident, and no one was harmed during the operation. He is now awaiting extradition back to Colorado.
The shooting incident occurred on Monday in a wooded area approximately eight miles northeast of Westcliffe, about 75 miles southeast of Colorado Springs. Two men and a woman were discovered dead at the scene, while a fourth victim, a woman in critical condition, was airlifted to a hospital in Colorado Springs. Fortunately, she is expected to survive her injuries.
Authorities have identified the deceased victims as Robert Geers, 63, his wife Beth Wade Geers, 73, and James Daulton, 58. The lone survivor is Patty Daulton, wife of James Daulton. The Custer County Sheriff’s Department has revealed that Clark had an ongoing property line dispute with one of the victims.
During a news conference, Sheriff Smith expressed his hopes that Clark’s arrest would bring relief to the neighborhood and closure to the affected families and their friends. The department also revealed that a surveyor was present at the scene during the shooting but managed to escape unharmed.
The motive behind the shooting is believed to be the property line dispute. Clark had a warrant out for his arrest on three counts of first-degree murder. The arrest of the suspect has brought a sense of relief to the community, as they can now begin to heal from this tragic incident.
