New Details On Accused Gunman In Springs Hostage Situation

The man killed by police after they say he held two women hostage at a Colorado Springs medical center has been officially identified as Dominic Oliver, 28.

Friends, who said Oliver grew up in Widefield, told KRDO Newschannel 13 that they’re searching for answers on what caused Oliver to act as he did.

“He wasn’t an angry person, he loved life and enjoyed it,” said a friend, who requested we didn’t use his name, but said he’s known Oliver for 15 years.

A woman who said she was at the center of the hostage standoff told KRDO Newschannel13 that Oliver wanted to buy a pit bull puppy from her after she posted an ad onCraigslist. She said Oliver didn’t like the price she was requesting and began harassing her on the Internet. She said he found out she worked at the Urological Associates, on Printers Parkway, on her Facebook page and threatened her, then showed up with a gun.

Police said two women were held hostage and three people remained hidden in the building during the SWAT standoff that ensued.

Oliver’s friend said he believes there’s more to the story.

“What happened today is not who he is,” he said. “I’m sure if he had to do it all over again, he would have handled it in a different way.”

According to the Colorado courts database, the most serious charges Oliver has faced in the past are assault and cruelty to animals, but both cases were dismissed.

The situation Tuesday began shortly before noon. Negotiators were able to get Oliver to release the two female hostages, but he remained in the building in a secluded area. After the standoff ended, CSPD spokeswoman Barbara Miller revealed there were three “hidden hostages” hiding inside with the gunman. At around 3:00 p.m., SWAT officers tried to rescue the three when a confrontation ensued and an officer shot Oliver. He was brought out of the building on a stretcher and was taken by an ambulance to the hospital.

IntelliTec College and Tesla EOP, which are located near Urological Associates, were placed on lockdown during the situation.

The officer has been placed on routine paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure in any Officer-Involved Shooting.