5 people were killed and 25 wounded in a shooting at an LGBTQ club in Colorado
Crime tape is set up near Club Q, a LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs, Colo. where a shooting occurred late Saturday. (Thomas Peipert/AP)
A 22-year-old suspect has been taken into custody after five people were killed and at least 25 were injured in a shooting at an LGBTQ nightclub late Saturday in Colorado Springs, Colo., authorities said.
Police received a phone call at about 11:57 p.m. local time to report a shooting at Club Q, Colorado Springs Police Department spokesperson Lt. Pamela Castro said.
Anderson Lee Aldrich was taken into custody shortly after police arrived on site and is being treated at a local hospital.
The suspect is believed to have immediately begun shooting people when he entered the nightclub. At least two “heroic” patrons confronted and fought the gunman, according to Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez.
“We owe them a great debt of thanks,” he said at a news conference.
Officials said at least two firearms were found on scene, including a long rifle that appears to have been used by the shooter.
Police are still determining whether the attack is a hate crime, and the local district attorney, Michael Allen, said it will be investigated “in that lens.”
The FBI is also on scene to assist in the investigation.
The suspect’s motive has not yet been disclosed.
Leaders in the community and national politics respond
In a statement on Facebook, Club Q wrote it is “devastated by the senseless attack on our community.”
“Our prays and thoughts are with all the victims and their families and friends.
“We thank the quick reactions of heroic customers that subdued the gunman and ended this hate attack.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis called the attack “horrific, sickening, and devastating.”
“My heart breaks for the family and friends of those lost, injured, and traumatized in this horrific shooting,” Polis said in a statement.
“Colorado stands with our LGTBQ community and everyone impacted by this tragedy as we mourn together.”
The shooting happened minutes before a day to remember trans people killed in anti-transgender violence
The gunfire came on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual observance on Nov. 20 to commemorate the transgender people who have lost their lives because of anti-transgender violence.
The attack is the latest in a long string of shootings targeting the LGBTQ community. In 2016, a gunman opened fire in a gay nightclub in Orlando, Fla. killing 49 people and injuring dozens of others. It is considered one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.
Colorado itself has seen a series of mass shootings in recent years. In 2021, a shooter took the lives of 10 people at a grocery store in Boulder. In 2012, another opened fire inside a crowed movie theater in Aurora, killing 12 people. In 1999, two gunmen killed 13 people at Columbine High School.
9(MDAzMzI1ODY3MDEyMzkzOTE3NjIxNDg3MQ001))
Woman, 18, dies after being shot at Delaware State University; campus closed
Dover police say officers responded at 1:40 a.m. Sunday to a report of shots on campus. A Wilmington woman who was not a registered student was found with a gunshot wound.
2 days ago
Man shot by police after domestic argument inside Philadelphia apartment complex
The officers involved in this shooting are being placed on administrative duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
3 days ago
Uber rider verification rolls out in Philadelphia, 11 other cities, to increase security for all
You could see a blue verification checkmark on your Uber account as of Thursday. Riders will be "verified" to make sure they are who they claim to be.
6 days ago