Police said that a 22-year old gunman shot five people dead and 25 more were injured in an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs just before midnight on Saturday.
According to Adrian Vasquez, Colorado Springs Police Chief, Anderson Lee Aldrich was the suspect in Club Q’s shooting.
Vasquez stated that he entered the club and immediately opened fire. At least two other people confronted him and fought him. This prevented further violence.
Police said that the suspect is currently being treated in a hospital and that officers did not shoot at the suspect. Colorado has witnessed some of the most horrific mass shootings in US History, including the Columbine High School massacre in 1999. Six people were killed in a shooting incident at a Colorado Springs birthday party last year.
New details about the shooting are available now
Numerous 911 calls were received by police at 11:56 p.m. Officers arrived at 11:57 pm. An officer arrived at midnight to detain the suspect. Police said that 39 officers responded to the call and Captain Mike Smaldino, Fire Department, said that 11 ambulances were dispatched to the scene.
Vasquez, the chief of police, stated that Aldrich used a long-range rifle and that two firearms were also found on the scene. According to The New York Times , the gunman arrived at the club heavily armed, wearing a flak jacket in military style. Matthew Haynes, one of the club’s owners, reported that the gunman arrived at the club with “tremendous firepower.”
Joshua Thurman was in the club when he heard gunshots. He also saw a muzzle flash. He told CNN.
He said, “I thought it was music, so I continued dancing.” Thurman claimed that he fled to a dressing area to hide after hearing another round of shots. He said that he heard more gunshots and people crying, as well as windows breaking. Thurman stated that he found bodies on the ground with broken glass and blood when he got out.
Authorities believe at least two club patrons were responsible for confronting the gunman and ending the violence. Haynes stated to the Times that one customer killed the gunman, and another assisted him.
Haynes stated that the first customer “saved many lives.” He stopped the man from running away. He ran towards him, while everyone else was running.
Initial reports indicated that 18 people had been injured, but the number was later increased to 25.
According to Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers, 19 of the 25 wounded had suffered gunshot wounds. Suthers spoke to CNN’s Jim Acosta on Sunday. According to Suthers, he believes the victims of the shooting will survive and that the community is “crossing its fingers” for no more deaths.
