Five people were killed and 18 injured in a shooting at an LGBTQ club in Colorado Spring on Saturday night.
The Associated Press reported that he was stopped by patrons at the bar, Club Q. Both the AP and Denver Post reported that police were still investigating the shooter’s motive.
According to the AP, local police identified the shooter as Anderson Lee Aldrich. Two club patrons subdued the shooter and police arrived within five minutes after being called.
The news service said this was the sixth mass shooting this month.
The AP reported that of the 18 people injured, some were in critical condition and at least two had been treated and released. Some were hurt trying to flee.
Club Q had regular drag shows and had an all-ages drag brunch planned for today. All-ages drag shows have been a target of anti-LGBTQ forces, including in Illinois.
“Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community,” the business said in a Facebook post. “Our prays 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 attack is the deadliest since the Pulse shooting in 2016. News of the attack spread as communities recognized the Transgender Day of Remembrance and brought back memories of the Orlando attack.
Brian Johnson, Equality Illinois CEO, said that while the motives were still unknown, it was a dangerous time for the LGBTQ community.
“We live in a time where anti-family and anti-equality politicians spew hate speech and attempt to strip away human rights,” he said. “Books that represent us are the targets of censorship campaigns. Just last week, voters in Glen Carbon, IL voted to ban age-appropriate drag performances at schools and libraries. When you spark the match of the pandemic of gun violence on the kindling of anti-LGBTQ+ hate stoked by powerful leaders; violence erupts.”
“Once again our LGBTQ+ community is laid bare, victimized by mass gun violence that seeks to not only end lives but silence us and send us back into the closet,” Bloomington’s Prairie Pride Coalition said in a Facebook post. “We mourn the loss of life in Colorado Springs, redouble our efforts to combat hate, and work together to make our nation better. Cradle and cherish our Club Q, The Bistro.”
Support and condolences also came from Pride St. Louis, Rainbow Cafe LGBTQ Center, Clock Inc., Logan County Pride, Woodstock Pride, Springfield Pridefest and others.
“The Club Q shooting in Colorado Springs was horrific, sickening, and devastating news to wake up to.” said Colorado Gov. Jared Polis (D), the only out gay governor in the country. “My heart breaks for the family and friends of those lost, injured, and traumatized in this horrific shooting. I have spoken with Mayor Suthers and clarified that every state resource is available to local law enforcement in Colorado Springs. We are eternally grateful for the brave individuals who blocked the gunman, likely saving lives in the process, and for the first responders who responded swiftly to this horrific shooting. Colorado stands with our LGTBQ Community and everyone impacted by this tragedy as we mourn.”
There have been 523 mass killings since 2006 resulting in 2,727 deaths as of Nov. 19, according to The Associated Press/USA Today database on mass killings in the U.S.