A Colorado Republican is calling Planned Parenthood the “real culprit” in last week’s shooting attack on one of the organization’s clinics.
State Rep. JoAnn Windholz issued a statement to the Colorado Independent Tuesday blaming Planned Parenthood for Friday’s attack, which left three dead including a University of Colorado police officer.
“Violence is never the answer, but we must start pointing out who is the real culprit. The true instigator of this violence and all violence at any Planned Parenthood facility is Planned Parenthood themselves,” Windholz wrote. “Violence begets violence. So Planned Parenthood: YOU STOP THE VIOLENCE INSIDE YOUR WALLS.”
Police say 57-year-old Robert Lewis Dear was the gunman behind a five-hour siege of the Colorado Springs clinic. According to police, Dear said “no more baby parts” after the attack, a possible reference to a video by the right-wing Center for Medical Progress that alleged Planned Parenthood was selling fetal tissue for a profit.
“Free Speech has brought to light the insidious selling of baby body parts (pph has no shame),” wrote Windholz. “These facts and overall mission of the abortion industry would easily send anyone over the hill who wasn’t rational.”
In response to Windholz, Planned Parenthood sent TIME the following statement:
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