Shooting at LGBTQ Club in Colorado, USA... 5 Dead, 18 Injured

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] A shooting occurred at an LGBT (sexual minority) club located in Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA, resulting in at least 5 deaths and 18 injuries.

According to local police authorities on the 20th (local time), at around 11:57 PM the previous night, 22-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich indiscriminately opened fire on guests at Club Q in Colorado Springs. Two guests at the club at the time subdued Aldrich, preventing further casualties, but at least 5 people died at the scene. The number of injured was identified as 18.

Adrian Vasquez, Chief of the Colorado Springs Police Department, said at a press conference that day, "At least two heroes inside the club confronted and fought the suspect, preventing others from being killed or injured," and expressed "great gratitude." At least two firearms were recovered at the scene, but it has not yet been confirmed whether the suspect used a long gun during the shooting. The suspect Aldrich was arrested by police who arrived shortly after the shooting at around 12:02 AM and is currently receiving treatment for injuries at a hospital.

Club Q is a club for sexual minorities such as gay and lesbian individuals. At the time, a related event was being held in anticipation of November 20, a day to commemorate those who died due to transphobic violence. The exact number of people inside the club at the time of the shooting has not been confirmed.

Club Q condemned the shooting as a hate attack targeting sexual minorities in a statement, saying, "We are devastated by the indiscriminate attack on our community. We thank the heroic customers who subdued the shooter and ended the hate attack with their quick response."

Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado, also expressed anger in a statement, calling it a "horrific and disgusting incident." Elected as the first openly LGBTQ governor in the United States, he tweeted, "Thank you to the brave people who stopped the shooter to save lives."

The shooting targeting sexual minorities is the first in about six years since the 2016 shooting at an LGBT club in Orlando, Florida, where 49 people lost their lives.