“Heroic” club-goers stopped an attacker who was shooting at guests at an LGBTQ nightclub in the US city of Colorado Springs on Sunday evening. Five people were killed and 18 injured. A 22-year-old arrested. The motive was not yet clear on Sunday. The club spoke of a “hate attack” on Facebook.
According to the authorities, it is being determined whether it was a targeted hate crime. Police identified the suspect as Anderson Lee Aldrich. He is being treated in hospital following the attack at Club Q, a press conference said on Sunday. The first 911 call about the Club Q shooting in the city of Colorado Springs was received shortly before midnight Saturday, police said. The attacker was arrested minutes later. The police have not yet provided details of the crime. Police were initially unable to say how many people were in the venue at the time of the crime. The wounded were taken to nearby hospitals.
In a statement on Facebook, the club said it was “shocked by the senseless attack on our community”. “We are grateful for the quick responses from the heroic hosts who overpowered the gunman and ended this bout of hate.” On its Facebook page, Club Q hosts drag shows, events on transgender issues, and karaoke, among other things.
The attack occurred on the night of Transgender Day, a day to commemorate the victims of transphobia. According to local broadcaster KRDO, a transgender party was planned for the night in the attached Club Q, the broadcaster reported.
Colorado Governor Jared Polis, who is married to the man, praised the “brave people who stopped the shooter” in a statement posted on Twitter, calling the shooting “scary, repugnant and devastating.”
In the television pictures numerous police cars could be seen with blue lights flashing around the club. KRDO covered one of the largest deals in Colorado Springs history. The FBI is also investigating the crime scene.
In 2016, a gunman killed 49 people at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Orlando, Florida before being killed by police themselves. (apa/dpa)
