At least five people killed in shooting at Colorado LGBTQ nightclub, Club Q

At least five people have been killed in a shooting at Colorado LGBTQ+ nightclub Club Q after an attacker opened fire in the club on Saturday night (19th November).

The attack happened just before midnight in the East Colorado Springs area shortly after a drag show had taken place at the club. Police were called at 11:57PM, according to Colorado Mayor John Suthers, and were on the scene three minutes later.

Bartenders Daniel Davis Aston and Derrick Rump were two of the people shot dead. At least 25 others have been left injured. Authorities said 19 of the 25 injured had gunshot wounds, but are expected to survive, Suthers told CNN.

The suspected shooter, 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, is in police custody being treated for injuries. Two heroic attendees in the club confronted and subdued the attacker — who was clad in body armour — police say. According to the New York Times, Suthers said one of the people who stopped the suspect had grabbed a handgun from him and hit him with it.

According to Mayor Suthers, both individuals appeared to have “taken his handgun and used it to disable him”, but did not shoot, rather “hit him with the gun and disable him”. “But for that, as tragic as this incident is, it could have been much, much worse but for these heroic actors,” he said.

Joshua Thurman was in the club at the time of the shooting. He thought the shots were part of the music at first, he told the Colorado Sun, so he kept dancing. But after hearing another set of shots, he ran to take shelter in the club dressing room and called the police. "When I came out there were bodies on the floor, shattered glass, broken cups, people crying," he said.

"There was nothing keeping that man from coming in to kill us. Why did this have to happen? Why? Why did people have to lose their lives?"

Police have said they are investigating whether the attack was a hate crime and have taken into account Club Q’s relationship with the LGBTQ+ community. The attack occurred on Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual observance that has taken place since 1999 to honour transgender people killed by anti-transgender violence.

Club Q has now issued a statement on social media, stating: “Club Q is in shock, and in deep mourning, with the family and friends who had loved ones senselessly taken from them. We condemn the horrific violence that shattered an evening of celebration for all in the LGBTQ community of Colorado Springs and our allies". Read the full statement below.

An investigation has been launched into the suspected attacker, who was previously brought to police attention when he threatened his mother with a homemade bomb in 2021. His mother allegedly called the police when he threatened to harm her with “a homemade bomb, multiple weapons, and ammunition”.

GoFundMe have created a thread of verified fundraisers to support those affected by the shooting, which you can see below.