A the gunman He opened fire on a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs with a semiautomatic rifle on Saturday night, killing five and leaving 25 others injured before he was subdued by a “hero” patron, who held him until police arrived minutes later.
A 22-year-old man, identified as Anderson Lee Aldrich, opened fire with an AR15-style rifle inside Club Q. Police also recovered a gun and other weapons from the scene, according to Associated Press.
Although the victims have not been publicly identified, two Club Q bartenders were among the five people killed Saturday night at the popular LGBTQ+ nightclub, according to a co-worker and social media.
The agency cited an unnamed official close to the investigation.
Hero Policeman Defeats Gunman, Avoids “More Threats,” Mayor Says
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers told the AP that the attack ended when a security guard wrestled the gun from the suspect before hitting him with it and pushing him until authorities arrived.
“If that person hadn’t stepped in, this would have been a lot more tragic,” Suthers said.
The club is calling it “hateful” on its Facebook page, while investigators say they are still trying to determine the exact motive and whether to file charges as a hate crime, said El Paso County District Attorney Michael Allen.
However, the charges against the accused could include first degree murder, he added. Aldrich remains in custody and is being treated for his injuries, the AP reported.
Officials say seven of the 25 injured are still in critical condition, and many were injured while trying to escape the chaos. It is not yet clear whether all of the injured were shot, according to a police spokesman.
JUSTIN 🚨 Reports of a shooting and several injuries at “Club Q”, a gay club in Colorado Springs pic.twitter.com/qGBQzVSXvu
– The Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) November 20, 2022
Authorities said Aldrich has a recent criminal and antisocial history. Last year, he was arrested after his mother said he threatened her with a homemade bomb and other weapons, but refused to give details about the arrest.
The suspect was arrested for making a bomb threat last year, but the charges were dropped, as more information emerged about the alleged shooter.
A three-hour standoff with SWAT teams ensued, but no explosives were found, authorities said at the time.
Meanwhile, The Gazette in Colorado Springs reported that prosecutors had not filed any charges and the documents had been published.
More information about the shooter has emerged following the tragic shooting.
The Colorado LGBTQ Night Club shooter, Anderson Lee Aldrich, is the grandson of Randy Voepel, Republican Rep. He represents the 71st District in San Diego. Randy was a supporter of the 1/6 attack. Another interesting thing is that the shooter was arrested in 2021. pic.twitter.com/EeAI9SZ4si
– 🇺🇸🏳️🌈Gregory Hatfield🏳️🌈🇺🇸 (@gregoryh325) November 21, 2022
Aldrich is said to be the grandson of San Diego Republican Rep. Randy Voepel, who was a supporter of the January 6, 2021 terrorist attack, according to reports.
Attorney General Merrick Garland was notified of the shooting and the FBI was assisting police in the investigation.
The club had been operating for 21 years without incident before Sunday’s deadly attack
Meanwhile, the site of the mass shooting, Club Q, is a gay nightclub that hosts a drag show on Saturdays, according to its website.
Club Q’s Facebook page said entertainment planned for the night in question included “an alternative punk show” following a birthday dance party, along with an all-ages party on Sunday.
Authorities noted that the group has been active for 21 years and had never reported any threats before Saturday.
Michael Allen has a lot of nerves. They dropped all charges against Anderson Lee Aldrich in 6/2021 after he spent three hours fighting a SWAT team during a bomb threat. Why? If Aldrich had been properly cared for, no one would have been shot at this facility this week. Allen is at fault. pic.twitter.com/QNdYX81Xv4
— Chris Kennedy (@Chris_Kennedy2) November 21, 2022
In order for Aldrich to be charged with hate speech, prosecutors must prove that he was motivated by the victim’s perceived identity or gender identity.
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So far, he has reportedly not cooperated in interviews with investigators, and has not provided specific information about what led to the attack, according to the official, who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
On the same day as the nightclub attack, a gay bar in Hell’s Kitchen had its windows smashed with rocks three times in a week, ABC7 photo reports.
Back in 2016, The Shade Room He also mentioned the mass shooting of a gay group in Orlando, which killed 50 and injured 50 others.
