At Least Five Victims Have Died Following Gunman Attack At LGBTQIA+ Club Q
On Saturday, November 19 a 22-year-old gunman entered Club Q in Colorado Springs, an LGBTQIA+ friendly space, and opened fired killing five people and injuring others. The gunman was apprehended at Club Q by people in attendance before he could do further harm. Investigations are ongoing into whether this was a hate crime, reports CNN.
TRAGEDY ONCE AGAIN VISITS THE QUEER COMMUNITY
At least two people in the shooting at Club Q tackled the gunman and managed to stop him from perpetuating more shootings. According to CNN, he used a long rifle in the shooting and there were two firearms were found at the scene.
The alleged gunman, Anderson Lee Aldrich, is in police custody.
In a statement posted to Facebook, Club Q thanked the customers responsible for apprehending the attacker and sent condolences to the families and loved ones of those who were killed. They said: “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.”
As news broke, many began to express their sorrow and distress. Many friends and loved ones of the victims have posted tributes to social media and many more who were present during the attacks are sharing the terrifying accounts of the tragic night.
The awful tragedy is particularly resonant for members of the LGBTQIA+ community as it harkens memories of the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando. Both occasions occurred at spaces designed to be a haven for LGBTQIA+ folks and in both cases, gunmen took lives and enacted terror.
