Image source: MassLive
Shootings continue to plague the United States as an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs has become the latest victim of another shooting.
Before midnight on Saturday, a 22-year-old gunman walked into Club Q and opened fire at its patrons.
At least five people were killed and 25 others injured in the shooting.
The shooter
Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez has identified the maniac behind the Club Q shooting as Anderson Lee Aldrich.
Aldrich used a long rifle when firing.
Vasquez also said he found two firearms at the scene.
Additionally, Vasquez said at least two club patrons confronted and fought Aldrich to prevent further violence.
“We owe them a great debt of thanks,” said the Police Chief.
Aldrich
Anderson Lee Aldrich was arrested last year 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 in June 2021 on charges of menacing crimes and first-degree kidnapping.
Sheriff’s deputies responded to a report from Aldrich’s mother that he threatened to harm her with a homemade bomb he had created.
Although they called the suspect, he refused to comply with surrender orders, prompting them to evacuate nearby houses.
Hours after the police call, the sheriff’s crisis negotiation unit convinced Aldrich to leave the house and arrested him after he walked out the front door.
Investigations
Police said they investigated to determine if 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 late-night program, which included a punk and alternative show followed by a dance party.
They have also planned a brunch and drag show on Sunday for Transgender Day of Remembrance.
However, the club’s website says it will remain closed until further notice.
Read also: Communities gather for an event at Hazelwood neighborhood in Portland to address gun violence
Aftermath
Gov. Jared Polis has called for flags to be flown at half-mast Monday through Saturday at all public buildings in 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 has become a site for some of the largest mass shootings in US history.
Other shootings include the 1999 Columbine and 2012 indoor filming.
Meanwhile, Colorado was the scene of a mass shooting at a Planned Parenthood seven years ago that killed three people.
Additionally, a shooting erupted at a birthday party last year, killing six people.
According to the Gun Violence Archive, more than 600 mass shootings have occurred in the United States in 2022.
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