Mark Kauzlarich/Reuters
Sen. Ted Cruz on Sunday rejected a potential connection between the shooting at a Colorado Planned Parenthood clinic that left three people dead and anti-abortion activism. Speaking to reporters in Iowa on Sunday, the Republican presidential candidate condemned the shooting, but warned against “some vicious rhetoric on the left blaming those who are pro-life.” Police said the suspected shooter, Robert Dear, has been taken into custody, but have not released a motive. When a reporter reminded Cruz that Dear reportedly mentioned “baby parts” while he was apprehended, Cruz fired back, “It’s also been reported that he was registered as an independent and a woman and a transgendered leftist activist. If that’s what he is, I don’t think it’s fair to blame on the rhetoric on the left. This is a murderer.” Cruz appeared to be referencing a voter-registration form that lists Dear’s gender as female.