Five people were killed and another 18 were injured, including the suspect, in a shooting at a nightclub in Colorado, according to police officials.
On Nov. 20, Colorado Springs Police Department Chief Adrian Vasquez told reporters that the suspect was identified as 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich. Details about the suspect, including his motive, weren’t provided.
According to Vasquez, at least two people confronted the suspect and stopped the shooting. Aldrich was injured, although it isn’t clear how, Vasquez said.
The first call on the shooting came in just before midnight on Nov. 19, Lt. Pamela Castro with the Colorado Springs Police Department told reporters near the establishment, which is called Club Q.
Aldrich was taken into custody and is being treated at a local hospital, as are the other injured, Castro said. The severity of the injuries varies and the number of dead could increase.
Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers said that preliminary information indicated the suspect was subdued by individuals at the bar.
“As indicated, there is much we’re still waiting to learn about this tragic incident,” he told reporters. “We know one or more patrons heroically intervened to subdue the suspect and we praise those individuals that did so because their actions clearly saved lives. We also thank our first responders across the Pike’s Peak region who quickly responded.”
Reactions
Club Q wrote on its Facebook page that it was “devastated by the senseless attack on our community.”“Our [prayers] 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 club wrote.
Club Q was scheduled to hold several drag events on Nov. 20, including a Drag Brunch and a Drag showtime starting at 8 p.m. “We’re celebrating Transgender Day of Remembrance with a variety of gender identities and performance styles!” the club stated in a promotional message.
Hospitals were working with authorities to notify family members of those who were injured in the shooting.
Most of the people who weren’t injured had been allowed to leave the club.
Authorities wouldn’t say whether surveillance video footage had captured the shooting. They asked for cellphone video footage from witnesses.
Fire officials said that nearly a dozen ambulances were utilized to rush victims to the hospitals. Because of how many victims there were, some ambulances transported multiple victims at once.
“Unfortunately these are events we do train for, as far as what we call a ‘mass casualty,’ so that is why we had such a big response,” Colorado Springs Fire Captain Mike Smaldino told reporters. “Working with the police, we were able to get everybody transported out of here in a pretty quick manner and get them to the hospital, where they have a better chance for their injuries.”
Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, a Democrat, issued a statement in response to the incident.
“My heart breaks for the family and friends of those lost, injured, and traumatized in this horrific shooting. I have spoken with Mayor [John] Suthers and clarified that every state resource is available to local law enforcement in Colorado Springs.”
