Five dead after shooting at Colo. Springs LGBTQ club; motive unclear but attack billed as ‘hate crime’

An armed suspect reportedly opened fire at a Colorado nightclub early Sunday morning in an incident that tragically left five persons dead and nearly 20 wounded.

The suspect, who was also wounded in the overnight incident at Club Q, described as an LGBTQ nightspot in northeast Colorado Springs.

A large deployment of cops and firefighters responded to an active shooter call shortly before midnight. Officers apprehended the suspect within minutes of their arrival.

The suspect, who apparently was overpowered by patrons, is in police custody after receiving medical treatment.

EMTs transported victims to several area hospitals.

Law enforcement officials, who have scheduled a press conference for later Sunday morning, have not as yet identified a motive for the attack in this developing story.

More facts will obviously be unfolding as the investigation, which includes the FBI, continues, including the nature of the suspect’s injuries and the kind of firearm the suspect used, as well as the purported motivation and background of the suspect.

According Lt. Pamela Castro of the Colorado Springs PD, however, “it was not an officer-involved shooting,” Colorado Public Radio reported. “This scene is going to take some time to get through. We will be here for many, many hours to come,” she added preliminarily.

Authorities intend to determine, among many other relevant details, whether the club had security on scene.

In a Facebook post, Club Q seem to imply that what happened in the ghastly incident was a hate crime:

“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.”

According to the same Facebook page, the bistro had scheduled an all-ages drag brunch for Sunday to celebrate Transgender Day of Remembrance.

Politicians as well as ordinary citizens have taken to Twitter to lament the devastating attack.

Some on Twitter are unfortunately and predictably attempting to politicize the situation before all the facts are known.

Watch the press conference conducted by officials airing on NBC Denver affiliate 9News during which Colorado Springs PD Chief Adrian Vasquez said that a 22-year-old male suspect, Anderson Lee Aldrich, could be facing a charge of first-degree murder, although the investigation in its early stages.

“Vasquez confirmed that Aldrich used a long rifle during the shooting and that law enforcement recovered at least two firearms at the scene,” Axios noted.

The chief also confirmed that at least two heroic customers fought with the alleged perpetrator, who entered the club and immediately started shooting, thereby preventing the rampage from continuing.

During the presser, officials implied that the above-mentioned first-degree murder charge under Colorado law could supersede any hate crime offense that is still nonetheless part of the probe.

Early reporting suggests that Anderson was involved in a previous incident involving alleged bomb threats, as seen here:

https://twitter.com/benryanwriter/status/1594361514923724800

All suspects are presumed innocent until or unless they are convicted in a court of law of any alleged crimes.

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