Shootings continue to plague the United States as an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs has become the latest victim of yet another mass shooting.
Before midnight on Saturday, a 22-year-old gunman entered Club Q and opened fire on the club patrons.
The shooting killed at least five people and injured 25 others.
The shooter
Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez has identified the Club Q shooter as Anderson Lee Aldrich.
Aldrich used a long rifle.
Vasquez also said the police found two firearms at the scene.
Additionally, Vasquez said at least two club guests confronted and fought Aldrich to prevent more violence.
“We owe them a great debt of thanks,” said the Police Chief.
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Aldrich
Anderson Lee Aldrich was arrested in June 2021 over a bomb threat that led to a standoff at his mother’s home.
Two law enforcement sources confirmed that the suspects in the nightclub shooting and bomb scare were the same people by name and date of birth.
According to a release from El Paso, Aldrich was arrested for menacing crimes and first-degree kidnapping.
At the time, sheriff’s deputies responded to a report from Aldrich’s mother that he threatened to harm her with a homemade bomb he made.
Although they called the suspect, he refused to comply with surrender orders, prompting them to evacuate nearby houses.
Hours after the police were called, the Sheriff’s Crisis Negotiation Unit convinced Aldrich to leave the house and arrested him when he walked through the front door.
Investigations
Police say they are investigating whether the attack was a hate crime.
They highlighted Club Q’s relationship with the LGBTQ community.
“Club Q is a safe haven for our LGBTQ citizens,” said Vasquez.
“Every citizen has a right to feel safe and secure in our city, to go about our beautiful city without fear of being harmed or treated poorly.”
Club Q
The nightclub released a statement on social media saying it was devastated by the attack on the community.
Additionally, Club Q thanked the heroic customers who overpowered the shooter to end the hateful attack.
Earlier that day, the club released its night schedule, which included a punk and alternative show followed by a dance party.
They also planned a Sunday brunch and drag show for Transgender Day of Remembrance.
However, the club’s website says it will shut down until further notice.
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Aftermath
Governor Jared Polis has called for flags to be flown half-mast Monday through Saturday in all public buildings across the state to honor the victims.
“Flags will be lowered for 5 days to remember each of the 5 individuals who lost their lives in this senseless tragedy,” the release wrote.
“To further honor and remember the victims and those injured in this tragedy, the Polis-Primavera administration will also be flying the Pride flag at the Colorado state capitol for the next five days.”
Colorado became the site of some of the most impactful mass shootings in the country’s history.
Other shootings include the 1999 Columbine shooting and the 2012 movie theater massacre.
Additionally, Colorado was the scene of a Planned Parenthood mass shooting that killed three people seven years ago.
Meanwhile, a shooting broke out at a birthday party last year, killing six people.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been more than 600 mass shootings in the United States so far in 2022.
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