Club Q shooting suspect out of the hospital and in jail, Colorado Springs community focuses on victims
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV) - At least five people are dead, and nearly two dozen injured after a person reportedly opened fire at a Colorado Springs gay nightclub before being stopped by two patrons being hailed as heroes.
The victims have been identified through family, friends and police as:
HELPFUL LINKS:
-CLICK HERE to donate to a verified fundraiser page to help all the victims impacted.
-CLICK HERE to view a vigil held in honor of the victims.
-CLICK HERE for the GoFundMe “Central Hub” for donation information.
-Anyone dealing with a mental health emergency can call 9-8-8.
-CLICK HERE for other resources to help those impacted by the shooting.
-CSPD announced they will be holding community expos for those impacted by the shooting. Click here for details.
Authorities shared an approximate timeline for the violent event that was carried out at Club Q near N. Academy Boulevard and N. Carefree Circle, just northeast of Palmer Park:
-11:56 p.m. on Saturday: Law enforcement says they received their first call on the incident
-11:57 p.m. on Saturday: The first officer was dispatched within seconds of the call coming in
-Midnight on Sunday: The first officers arrived at the scene. Two patrons had reportedly subdued the gunman
-12:02 a.m. on Sunday: The suspect was taken into custody
Officials say the investigation is in its early stages and many details can be subject to change. As of Monday afternoon, at least five people had been killed and about 19 people were injured. Officials added that those numbers could change because some people may have transported themselves to the hospital. Flags were ordered by the governor to be flown at half-staff to honor the victims from Monday through Saturday.
Colorado Springs Police say the suspect, 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, immediately started shooting as they entered, but was stopped by two people inside the bar. Police have not released a picture of the suspect as of Tuesday afternoon. According to jail records, the suspect was at the El Paso County Jail as of 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, after being moved from the hospital. Click here to view a vigil held in honor of the victims.
On Monday, the suspect was charged five counts of first degree murder and five counts of bias motivated crime to cause bodily injury.
During a briefing Sunday morning, the Colorado Springs Police Department reported two firearms, including what they described as a “long rifle,” were found at the scene. A motive is also being investigated, including the possibility of the violent attack being considered a hate crime.
“At least two heroic people” confronted the person and stopped the shooting, Colorado Springs Police Chief Adrian Vasquez stated. The men who jumped into action and are being hailed heroes were identified as Richard Fierro and Thomas James. Click here to hear Fierro speak about the tragedy as it unfolded.
The FBI is also assisting in the investigation. Anyone who is looking for their loved one can reach out to CSPD by calling 719-444-7000.
Club Q stated the “official” donation site can be found at ColoradoGives.Org. Click here to help the victims.
Club Q made this statement on social media early Sunday morning: “Club Q is devastated by the senseless attack on our community. 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.”
CSPD was on priority dispatch status due to this mass shooting. Only emergency calls involving injury, or threat to safety, will be dispatched during that time.
Governor Jared Polis, the first openly gay governor in the United States, sent a statement to 11 News saying, “This is horrific, sickening, and devastating. 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 made it clear 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 together.”
Other Colorado leaders have posted to social media about the mass shooting. U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert:
Senator Michael Bennet:
Senator John Hickenlooper:
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