The search for a 45-year-old Custer County homicide suspect continues. Chaffee County Sheriff John Spezze revealed that the suspect was spotted in the Salida Wal-Mart yesterday.
On Nov. 20th, 2023, at approximately 1 pm the Custer County Sheriff’s Office received a call of shots fired north of Westcliffe. When deputies arrived, they found 4 people had been shot, with three deceased. Through their investigation they determined that the suspect was Hanme Kim Clark, age 45, a resident of Westcliffe.
An arrest warrant was obtained by Custer County for three counts of First-Degree Murder naming Clark as the suspect. A search for the suspect in the area of the shooting was conducted and it was determined that the suspect had fled the area possibly driving a 2017 Dodge 1500 truck, all white with a white topper bearing Colorado license plate BHLK27.
Information of the shooting with suspect information was relayed to all law enforcement agencies and officers of the Salida Police Department began searching their FLOCK surveillance cameras, which are installed at various locations in Salida. Officers discovered that the suspect vehicle had entered the Salida Wal-Mart parking lot, and an occupant of the vehicle went inside and purchased numerous items. The occupant then leaves the store and the vehicle travels in the direction of the Methodist Mountain residential area.
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Local law enforcement was notified, along with the Chaffee County Combined Tac Team, and an extensive search began. A Shelter in Place request was issued via Everbridge to residents of the affected area, and a general Everbridge with suspect and suspect vehicle information was sent out to all county residents.
Law Enforcement officers from the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, Salida Police Department and the Buena Vista Police Department began an intensive search. Chaffee County Search and Rescue responded and along with the Chaffee County Sheriff’s Office, two different drones were launched. This searched continued throughout the night.
In the early morning hours of November 21st, as the search was continuing, a helicopter from the Denver Police Department arrived to assist. An air search of the entire shelter in place area was conducted and the suspect vehicle nor the suspect were located. After several hours of combing the area, the search was concluded and the shelter in place order was cancelled. Residents were notified of the cancellation via Everbridge.
All Chaffee County residents are reminded that if they have information regarding the suspect to please call 719-539-2596. Residents are also reminded that the suspect is considered armed and dangerous and if he or his vehicle is spotted do not approach, but please call 911.
