Tag Archives: Custer County murders

Mass Shooting on Oak Creek Grade, Suspect(s) detained, awaiting extradition

Mass Shooting on Oak Creek Grade
Three Dead, One Wounded
Suspect Detained in N.M.

by George Gramlich

Three people were shot to death and one gravely wounded Monday, November 20, 2023 on Rocky Ridge Road, a private road on the west side of County Road 255 (Oak Creek Grade). Rocky Ridge Road is accessed off of Silver Circle which adjoins Oak Creek Grade at around the 8 mile marker.
Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith gave a press briefing outside the Sheriff’s Office at noon on Tuesday, November 21. The Sheriff stated that they received a 911 call around noon on the 20th that there were shots fired at the Rocky Ridge Road. Smith said that two deputies and the Custer County Coroner, Brad Baltzly, responded. The deputies treated the scene as a “high risk entry”. After a brief survey, assistance was requested and the entire CCSO deputy roster was called out. The Fremont County SWAT team was requested. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation and the Colorado State Police were also summoned.
Three deceased and one severely wounded person were found. The deceased were from two neighboring families. One person was able to flee the scene unharmed and gave the deputies information on the suspect, Hanme K. Clark who lived at the Rocky Ridge address along with his wife. A huge search of the area then ensued. The suspect was not found. The SO then focused on the suspect’s house and waited until they had obtained a warrant to enter and search the property. CBI assisted with the warrant request. The suspect was not in the house.
Smith noted that the shooting occurred in a wooded area near a “gravel road” and not on the suspect’s property.
Sheriff Smith said that there had been an ongoing property dispute between the suspect and the two neighbors. There was also a lawsuit in 2021 concerning the dispute. (Apparently the neighbors were traversing the suspect’s property to get to their own properties via an alleged easement. This appears to be at the core of the problem.)
During the search, drones, night vision and thermal imaging were employed.
Help from the U.S. Marshals was requested.
Sheriff Smith said that the suspect probably left the property before the deputies initially arrived.
An all clear was announced at 8 p.m. Monday night.
The crime scene was being processed by the CCSO, the CC Coroner and CBI.
The U.S. Marshals employed aerial assets traversing the crime scene up to Salida. The Sheriff said that they had a good tip on the whereabouts of the suspect. They believe he is in the Route 50 area around Poncha Springs. LEO from various jurisdictions are searching the area.
Smith said there is a warrant out for the arrest of Clark for three counts of first degree murder.
At the press conference, one news outlet said it was believed the suspect and his wife were Native Americans and asked if that was    part of the dispute, ie, discrimination. Smith said he could not comment on that.

Below is the Custer County Sheriff’s Office press release from November 20th:

PRESS RELEASE:

Monday, November 20, 2023: Westcliffe, CO:
Colorado Law Enforcement agencies are looking for Hanme K. Clark, who is wanted in connection with a shooting that took place mid-day Monday in Westcliffe, CO.
On Monday, November 20, 2023, at 12:59 p.m., the Custer County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) responded to a report of shots fired on Rocky Ridge Road approximately eight miles North of Westcliffe, CO. At 13:22, Fremont County Sheriff’s SWAT reported on scene. Custer County Sheriff, Rich Smith, called for a shelter in place while they searched for the suspect.
The shooting occurred at 173 Rocky Ridge Road along the wooded property line. A property dispute is suspected as the cause of the incident. Four victims were shot. Three of the victims are deceased (two male, one female). An additional female victim is in critical condition and being treated in a trauma center.
At 21:10, Rich Smith, Custer County Sheriff, announced that the shelter in place for Custer County was lifted. Authorities are pursuing the suspect who is driving a white Ram 1500 pickup with a topper and Colorado license plate: BHLK27.
If you have any information to assist officials in the apprehension of Hanme K. Clark, call 911.

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Press Release on November 21st.
Victims of November 20th Shooting Identified
Tuesday, November 21, 2023, Westcliffe, CO: The victims of Monday’s shooting in Westcliffe, Colorado have been identified by Custer County Coroner Brad Baltzly. The next of kin have been notified.
The three deceased victims are Rob Geers, Beth Wade, and James Daulton. The fourth victim, Patty Daulton, is being treated at a trauma center for her injuries.
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Hanme K. Clark, who is still at large. State and Federal agencies are assisting with the search.

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Editor: At our press time (early afternoon, Tuesday, November 21st), the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office has released a press statement stating that the suspect might be in the Salida area south of Salida from the Fremont County line to Poncha Springs (along Route 50). They have issued a shelter in place order for that area which ended Tuesday afternoon.
Clark was often seen at various events in Custer County. He was always very polite and soft spoken. Some research has indicated that he was a long time martial arts devotee including competing in MMA and studying the fighting art of Pancrase.
One report stated that there was a surveyor at the scene and he fled unhurt. But that remains to be verified.
(Please see the Custer County Sheriff’s Facebook page for immediate updates or see our Facebook or website, sangredecristosentinel.com for updates.)

UPDATE

The Custer County Sheriff sent out another press release on
late afternoon on November 21st that the suspect had been detained in N.M.

 

On Wednesday, a final press release gave more information on the victims. In a press conference, the Sheriff noted that the focus now
needs to be on the community and their loss.

 

 

Press Release

For Immediate Release

Shooting Suspect Arrested

November 21, 203, Westcliffe, CO: Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith received a call at 2:48pm today from US Marshall Kirk Taylor confirming that shooting suspect Hanme K Clark had been taken into custody near Albuquerque, by the New Mexico State Police and the US Marshalls. The suspect is awaiting extradition to Colorado.

Sheriff Smith requests that we turn the focus to the victims and their families.

The deceased are identified as Robert Geers, age 63, his wife Beth Wade Geers 73, and James Daulton 58. Patty Daulton survived and is being treated for her injuries at a trauma center.

If anyone is need of mental health support following this traumatic event please call the Westcliffe SolVista office at 719-783-0566.

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For Immediate Release
Triple Homicide Arrest Update

Wednesday, November 22, 2023, WESTCLIFFE, CO:   1500 hrs

Nancy Rae Medina-Kochis is charged with accessory to a crime, pending the continuing investigation into the November 20, 2023, triple homicide in Westcliffe, CO. She and shooting suspect Hanme K. Clark are being held in New Mexico while awaiting extradition to Colorado.
For more information regarding this case please contact the 11th Judicial District Attorney’s Office in Canon City, CO.
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