Five people were killed and another 18, including the suspect, were injured in a shooting at a nightclub in Colorado, according to police officials.
On Sunday morning, Colorado Springs Police Department Chief Adrian Vasquez told reporters that the suspect was identified as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich. Details about the suspect, including his motive, were not provided.
“At least two” people confronted the suspect and stopped the shooting, he said. Aldrich was injured, although it’s not clear how, Vasquez said.
The first call on the shooting came in just before midnight on Nov. 19, Lt. Pamela Castro with the Colorado Springs Police Department told reporters near the establishment, which is called Club Q.
Aldrich was taken into custody and is being treated at local hospitals, as are the other injured, Castro said. The severity of the injuries vary and the number of dead could increase.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers on Sunday said that the suspect was subdued by individuals at the bar.
“As indicated, there is much we’re still waiting to learn about this tragic incident,” he told reporters. “We know one or more patrons heroically intervened to subdue the suspect and we praise those individuals that did so because their actions clearly saved lives. We also thank our first responders across the Pike’s Peak region who quickly responded.”
In June 2021, a man with the name Anderson Lee Aldrich was arrested in Colorado Springs after making a bomb threat near the city’s airport. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office said Aldrich allegedly claimed he had a homemade bomb, weapons, and ammunition, and he did not comply with orders to surrender, it was reported.
Reactions
Club Q said on its Facebook page that it was “devastated by the senseless attack on our community.”
“Our pray[er]s 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,” the club said.
Club Q was holding several drag events on Sunday, including a Drag Brunch and a Drag showtime starting at 8 p.m. “We’re celebrating Transgender Day of Remembrance with a variety of gender identities and performance styles!” the club had said in a promotional message.
Hospitals were working with authorities to notify family members of those who were injured in the shooting.
Most of the people who were not injured had been allowed to leave the club.
Authorities would not say whether surveillance video captured the shooting. They asked for cellphone video from witnesses.
Fire officials said that nearly a dozen ambulances were utilized to rush victims to the hospitals. Because of how many victims there were, some ambulances transported multiple victims at once.
“Unfortunately these are events we do train for, as far as what we call a ‘mass casualty,’ so that is why we had such a big response,” said Colorado Springs Fire Captain Mike Smaldino told reporters. “Working with the police, we were able to get everybody transported out of here in a pretty quick manner and get them to the hospital, where they have a better chance for their injuries.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, issued a statement in response to the incident.
“My heart breaks for the family and friends of those lost, injured, and traumatized in this horrific shooting. I have spoken with Mayor [John] Suthers and clarified that every state resource is available to local law enforcement in Colorado Springs,” he said.
From The Epoch Times
