Gunman kills 5, injures 18 inside LGBTQ+ Colorado Springs club
Colorado Springs is once again in mourning Sunday, the mayor of the Colorado city said, after a gunman opened fire on a large crowd inside a gay club named Club Q.
Colorado Springs, Colorado Police dispatch received an initial call for service at 11:56:57 P.M. on Saturday, November 19th, 2022, as gunfire erupted. The initial officer was dispatched three seconds later, at 11:57 P.M, and within three minutes, at 12:00 A.M. on Sunday, November 20, 2022, the first officer arrived on scene. Within two minutes, at 12:02 A.M., the suspect was taken into custody.
The suspect opened gunfire leaving five people dead and at least eighteen others injured, with the injured victims being transported to three separate hospitals.
The suspect, entered Club Q which is described as a safe haven to the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado Springs, and immediately began shooting at people inside as he moved further into the club. While the suspect was inside the club, at least two heroic patrons of Club Q fought and confronted the suspect and were able to stop the suspect from continuing the violence at Club Q.
The suspect was later identified as 22-year-old male, Anderson Lee Aldrich. At least two unknown firearms were found on the scene, but police confirmed Aldrich did use a long rifle in the shooting.
“I am so terribly saddened and heartbroken”, The Chief of Colorado Springs Police, Adrian Vasquez, said. The mayor of the city, John Suthers, stated on social media, “We are a strong community that has shown resilience in the face of hate and violence in the past, and we will do that again. As a community, we will provide for the victims and witnesses of this horrific event and law enforcement will pursue this case with the zealousness that the case deserves.”
The Facebook page of Club Q stated: “Club Q 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.”
Federal Bureau of Investigations remains on the scene and is assisting with the large crime scene.
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