Tribune Tri Lakes 3/27/13
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March 27, 2013
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A Colorado Community Media Publication
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Corrections director murdered at home High-speed chase, shootout in Texas tied to crime
‘We are most appreciative for law enforcement at all
levels in Colorado and Texas and are anxious to learn more as the investigation continues.’
By rob Carrigan, staff reports
Gov. John Hickenlooper
rcarrigan@ourcoloradonews.com The Colorado Springs Metro Crime Lab has completed the analysis of shell casings collected in Texas by El Paso County Sheriff’s Office investigators. The analysis done by ballistics experts has concluded the gun used by Evan Ebel in Texas was the same weapon used in the shooting death of Tom Clements. The confirmation goes well beyond acknowledging the same caliber and brand Clements of ammunition being used, but rather is based on unique, and often microscopic
markings left on the casings at both scenes, according to a release by El Paso County Sherrif’s Office at 2 p.m. Monday. “Investigators are actively pursuing all pieces of information and angles to determine whether Ebel acted alone in the shooting of Tom Clements or if others were involved. There are no answers at this time surrounding motive and gaining these answers could be a lengthy process for investigators. To safeguard the investigation, we will not provide details on what our investigators have learned thus far, nor will we
share details in the future until such time the information does not jeopardize the investigation. Please be mindful that if other people are implicated in this crime, it is imperative we do all we can to aid in the successful prosecution of those responsible, and that starts with the integrity of the investigation,” the release said. Sheriff David Walker of Wise County, Texas, said that a vehicle matching earlier descriptions was involved in a high speed chase and shootout. At a news conference, Walker said that
Road closure forces change in bus route D-38 bus pick-up was temporarily moved in the aftermath of a shooting that caused a road closure
lcollacott@ourcoloradonews.com
Students who normally catch the school bus on Colonial Park Drive had to meet the bus at a different location because of a road closure. Portions of Colonial Park Drive were closed while the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office investigated the shooting death of the Department of Corrections executive director Tom Clements after he answered the door. A suspect has not been identified or located. The shooting took place after 8:30 p.m. on March 20 but the road was still closed the next morning when it was time for Lewis-Palmer School District 38 students to catch the bus. D-38 community relations manager Robin Adair said parents were notified that they needed to bring students to Colonial Park Drive and Scarsbrook Court because of the road closure.
Media and other vehicles line a normally quite road on Wednesday morning. Photo by Rob Carrigan There are several bus stops along Colonial Park Drive. Adair said the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office informed the district that at no time was there any danger to students
at bus stops or the schools. The sheriff’s office recommended that the district proceed with their normal schedule.
Tips in Redwine disappearance lead nowhere Investigators find that there is no connection to Redwine’s disappearance
A tip in the Dylan Redwine disappearance that came in from a postal worker when the Monument teen first went missing has come up empty. According to the La Plata County Sheriff’s Office a postal
Tri-Lakes area still a safe place By Lisa Collacott
lcollacott@ourcoloradonews.com
lcollacott@ourcoloradonews. com
Clements continues on Page 12
Area has a low crime rate but crime does happen anywher
By Lisa Collacott
By Lisa Collacott
the suspect was wounded by deputies in that gunfire exchange and collision with a tractor-trailer, and described the suspect as being on life support and considered brain dead, in briefing on Thursday. The suspect exchanged fire with Texas deputies using a handgun before and after the crash. David Walker confirmed during the news briefing Friday that Evan Spencer Ebel, the 28-year-old driver of the Cadillac and a parolee in the Denver metro area, has died in a Texas hospital. Gov. John Hickenlooper issued this statement Friday night about his relationship with the Ebel family: “Every killer has a mother and father, usually with broken hearts. I met Jack Ebel some 30 years ago when working for an oil company soon after moving to Colorado. Jack is one of the most kind and generous people I know. His son had a bad streak that I know he tried desperately to correct.
worker reported seeing Redwine and another boy walking down a road around 2:00 p.m. on the day he disappeared. Investigators have identified and contacted the two young men and determined that it was not Redwine and that the young men have no connection to his disappearance. Additionally the sheriff’s office had also trying to locate a
man who was seen in the area looking for gas the day Redwine disappeared. They were able to identify and locate the man and said he was in town on legitimate business and has not been linked to the teen’s disappearance. Redwine went missing on Nov. 19 from Vallecito the day after he arrived in town to visit his father for Thanksgiving. He had made plans to visit his friends the day he went missing. The last communication anyone had from Redwine was
a text message at approximately 9:30 p.m. the night before. Investigators continue to seek any information from the public and are investigating all tips that come in. If anyone has any information leading to the whereabouts of Redwine they are asked to call the Dylan Tip Line at 970-382-7511. They can also call the Durango-La Plata Crime Stoppers at 970-247-1112 and leave an anonymous tip or the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-843-5678.
Despite the tragic shooting death of the Department of Corrections director Tom Clements, the Tri-Lakes area is a safe place to live. Sgt. Rick Tudor of the Monument Police Department said he has lived in the area since 1968 and the Tri-Lakes Area, which has an estimated population of about 40,000 between Monument, Palmer Lake, Woodmoor, Gleneagle and Black Forest, still has substantially less crime than other cities including Castle Rock. “It’s horrendous what happened and we just don’t experience that type of crime,” Tudor said. Monument Police Chief Jake Shirk said when any type of crime happens in the Tri-Lakes area it shocks people because the area has a low crime rate. Clements was shot to death after answering the door in the 17400 block of Colonial Park Drive off of Higby Road. The home is located in unincorporated El Paso County. There are no suspects at this time and law enforcement is looking for a late model two-door, “boxy”, dark color car similar to a 1990s Lincoln. The sheriff’s office has not given a motive for the shooting but it is possible Clements was targeted. However they are considering all possibilities. Shirk said he feels the Tri-Lakes area is a safe place and crime can happen anywhere. He said that the latest shooting was an isolated incident and there will probably more isolated incidents in the future. Other isolated incidents in the Tri-Lakes area have occurred over the years. In 2010 construction workers found the remains of eight-year-old Genesis Sims in a crawlspace of a Monument home. Sims was beaten to death by her father and his girlfriend in December of Safe continues on Page 12