Man Arrested After Fatally Shooting Three People in Colorado Property Dispute

A man has been apprehended after a day-long chase following a fatal shooting incident in rural Colorado. The suspect, Hanme K. Clark, 45, was arrested by New Mexico State Police on Tuesday. The shooting occurred on Monday, resulting in the death of three individuals and leaving another critically injured. The incident was sparked by a long-standing property dispute related to the use of an easement on Clark’s property.

The disagreement arose when an area landowner requested that Clark be held in contempt of a court order from June 2022, which allowed them access to their land through Clark’s property. In response, Clark had locked a gate and put up a sign stating that he was armed. Easements, which grant individuals the right to cross someone else’s land, are common in rural communities and play a crucial role.

The victims have been identified as Rob Geers, Beth Wade, and James Daulton, while Patty Daulton is currently receiving treatment at a trauma center. Although the property dispute had led sheriff’s deputies to the location several times in recent years, Sheriff Lloyd Rich Smith stated that there were no indications of potential violence.

Clark was a co-owner of a business called Herbal Gardens Wellness, focused on herbal remedies for health and well-being. The shooting took place in a wooded area on the property line, prompting an extensive search for the suspect. Law enforcement used night vision equipment and continued searching even after a truck believed to be Clark’s was spotted approximately 58 miles away.

Residents in a nearby area were asked to remain indoors after Clark’s truck was seen at a Walmart in Salida. However, following an overnight search involving drones, a Denver police helicopter, and ground officers, the Chaffee County sheriff’s office concluded that Clark had likely left the area. Consequently, the shelter-in-place order was lifted.

The property dispute centered around an easement that allowed multiple individuals access to their property through Clark’s land. The issue had been resolved by a court in June 2022, granting the landowners access.