Hatred of homosexuals – or not?
However, the investigation also shows that prescription drugs for the treatment of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder were found in Aldrich’s room. It is not yet known whether there is an official diagnosis. In addition, Aldrich had apparently been to Club Q at least six times on different days prior to the shooting without incident. According to senior detective Rebecca Joines, Aldrich’s mother, who is also non-binary, forced her child to go to gay clubs.
On the night of the shooting, Aldrich visited the club before midnight but then left, returning just after 12 p.m. with a rifle and pistol and opening fire indiscriminately, investigators said. So was Aldrich acting out of hatred for homosexuals or some other motive? The court has yet to make a final decision on this, and it is still unclear whether there is really enough evidence of a hate crime. Although Aldrich identifies as non-binary and uses the pronouns “they” and “them”, even as a member of the LGBTI* community he can still be charged with a hate crime against that community – US law only focuses on the victims , not on the perpetrators in this case.
More details on the rampage
Aldrich was first stopped by Navy soldier Thomas James, who grabbed the barrel of the rifle and burned his hand. The fight continued, with Aldrich shooting the US soldier at least once in the ribs with his handgun, police said. After evaluating the video recordings, James continued to fight weakened until the army veteran Richard Fierro Aldrich was able to disarm and hit the gunman with his handgun until he fell to the ground and the police arrived at the club.
Fierro was largely unhurt, the wounded James was to be taken to an ambulance as soon as possible, but made his place free for another injured person. Luckily he survived anyway. After the shooting ended, Aldrich tried in vain to explain to police that another guest had fired. However, the investigators found several high-capacity magazines at the crime scene, each of which can hold 40 to 60 rounds. Carrying a magazine with more than 15 rounds has been banned in the state since the 2012 shooting in Aurora, Colorado.
